Finally, the chef did not forget the audience, a key player in the success of the program. “Thank you all for the critiques, good and constructive, that were always present and accompanied me,” he closed.
The renowned chef surprised at the end of the reality show when he confirmed that he will not continue on the jury after more than a decade on the show.
Finally, the chef did not forget the audience, a key player in the success of the program. “Thank you all for the critiques, good and constructive, that were always present and accompanied me,” he closed.
The reaction in the study was immediate. Betular and Martitegui got up from their seats to embrace him, while a moved Wanda Nara couldn't hide her excitement at the farewell of one of the format's historic figures.
The announcement came at a key stage of the competition, which will crown its new champion after an extended season. More than 100 broadcasts, dozens of challenges and hundreds of dishes marked the route to the final, where Ian Lucas and La Reini
managed to stand out.The grand final of MasterChef Celebrity 2026 will be broadcast this Thursday from 21.30 on the Telefe screen. The winner will take home the winner's trophy, 50 million pesos and a Fravega gift that includes full kitchen and dining equipment, with appliances, tables, chairs, dishes
and decorations.
On a night full of emotion, the final of MasterChef Celebrity (Telefe) had an unexpected moment that shocked both the participants and the public. Donato de Santis announced his definitive retirement from the cycle after more than ten years as one of the main judges of the cooking reality show
.The farewell took place live, during the decisive gala in which Ian Lucas and Sofía “La Reini” Gonet competed. In the midst of the tense atmosphere typical of the final, the Italian chef asked for the floor and surprised him with a message that quickly became one of the most moving moments of the night.
“With this one I made 10 editions of MasterChef and I had a great time, it was beautiful. The time has come to step aside. I have decided that this will be my last participation,” he said, visibly moved.
Far from a cold shutdown, De Santis took the moment to thank those who accompanied him all these years. He especially highlighted the link with his fellow jurors, Germán Martitegui and Damián Betular, whom he defined as “companions of life and gastronomy”. He also had words for Wanda Nara, host of the series, whom he praised for her “heart, generosity