Twenty-six-year-old Favour Bessan, popularly known as Favy, has emerged as the winner of the inaugural season of MasterChef Nigeria, making history as the first-ever champion of the culinary competition and taking home the coveted trophy alongside a ₦73 million cash prize.
Favy was crowned winner after defeating fellow finalist Fads in the grand finale following 13 weeks of culinary contests that tested contestants’ creativity, technical ability, resilience and composure.
The final challenge required both contestants to prepare a three-course menu that reflected their culinary identity. Before the competition began, one of the judges, Chef Stone, challenged the finalists to “cook from your heart” and present dishes that truly represented them.
Favy impressed judges Chef Stone and Chef Eros with a menu that showcased confidence, creativity and technical skill. Her starter, smoked salmon served with potato mash and roasted bell pepper soup, earned praise for its balance of flavour, presentation and storytelling, helping secure her victory.
Speaking after she was announced as the winner, an emotional Favy described the achievement as “a dream come true” and dedicated the victory to aspiring home cooks, saying passion, perseverance and hard work can create life-changing opportunities.
Her victory capped one of the competition’s standout journeys, having consistently excelled throughout the season. She also became the first contestant to win the MasterChef Nigeria Immunity Pin, an advantage that helped secure her place in the semi-finals.
MasterChef Nigeria premiered on April 26, 2026, showcasing the talents of home cooks from across the country through mystery box challenges, pressure tests, team competitions and elimination rounds while celebrating the richness and diversity of Nigerian cuisine.
Commenting on the success of the inaugural edition, Managing Director of Primedia Africa, producers of MasterChef Nigeria, Tamara van Eeckhoven, congratulated Favy and all the contestants for their outstanding performances.
She also thanked the judges, headline sponsor Power Oil, other sponsors and partners, as well as millions of viewers whose support contributed to the success of the programme.
“MasterChef Nigeria was created to celebrate the nation’s extraordinary culinary talent, and the response to this first season has been truly remarkable. Favy’s journey embodies everything the competition stands for passion, resilience, creativity and excellence.
We congratulate her on making history and celebrate every contestant who inspired audiences throughout this unforgettable season,” she said.