Some people on the list of traitors: what is known about all the judges of the MasterChef project

"MasterChef" is a popular program in Ukraine where amateurs, professionals and even children compete for the title of the country’s best cook. Each new season attracts millions of viewers.

Since the new season "MasterChef. Professionals" has just started, 24 the Channel suggests recalling who served as judges and what is known about them.

Hector Jimenez-Bravo

The well-known Colombian chef has been a constant judge in all seasons and formats of the "MasterChef" project. In 2016 he opened the modern Chinese cuisine restaurant "BAO", in 2017 — the pastry shop "Bo. Pastry", and in 2018 — the modern Vietnamese cuisine restaurant "NAM".

In 2021 Hector obtained a permanent residence permit in Ukraine. Overall, the chef holds two citizenships — Canada and Colombia.

When the full-scale war began, the restaurateur left Ukraine for Poland, where he helped refugees. After several months he returned to Kyiv and later resumed operation of his restaurant.

Fuel

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In 2023 the former commander-in-chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi awarded Hector Jimenez-Bravo the "For Assistance to the Military" award.

Hector on the "MasterChef" project / Photo from Hector Jimenez-Bravo’s Instagram

Olha Martynovska

The chef was previously a contestant in the 3 season of "MasterChef." She later went to study at the well-known culinary school Le Cordon Bleu. In 2017 she became manager and co-owner of the restaurant Les Foodies.

In 2020 the chef became a judge on "MasterChef," and also founded a Culinary Academy.

Interestingly, this year Olha will be hosting "MasterChef. Professionals" for the first time, rather than serving as a judge.

Olha Martynovska / Photo from Instagram

Mykola Tyshchenko

The restaurateur, and today a member of parliament, was a judge on the culinary show from 1 through the 6-th seasons. Jimenez-Bravo repeatedly told the team that he felt uncomfortable working with Tyshchenko. The chef admitted that working with the former judge of the show was a "big challenge" for him.

It irritated me. It was awful. His character, his behavior, how he treated the staff. I complained to the producer many times and said that he was very difficult to work with. But at the same time I never behaved like a king. I never said, "Either you fire him, or I leave,"

— Hector noted.

Hector Jimenez-Bravo, Tetyana Litvinova, Mykola Tyshchenko / Photo STB

Anfisa Chekhova

The Russian actress was a judge in the 1 season of the show. Why the creators invited her specifically is unknown. Today she demonstrates an openly pro-Russian position. She has not condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and avoids this topic on social media and in interviews.

Hector, Anfisa Chekhova and Mykola Tyshchenko / Photo STB

Zhanna Badoyeva

The host was born in Lithuania into a family of engineers. She studied directing in Kyiv at the Institute of Cinema and Television, and then worked for a long time as a university lecturer. She joined the "MasterChef" project in the second season.

Today the former wife of Alan Badoev renounced Ukrainian citizenship in order to obtain Italian citizenship. Badoyeva did not react in any way to the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, despite now living in Italy. Moreover, at the end of 2022 she revived the project "Zhyznʹ drugih" (Life of Others), which is broadcast on Zhanna’s YouTube channel and on Russian television.

In January 2023 Zhanna was included on Ukraine’s sanctions list due to her pro-Russian stance.

Zhanna Badoyeva / Photo from Instagram

Tetyana Litvinova

The former "MasterChef" judge was on the team from 3 through the 8-th seasons. Recently Litvinova said that Martynovska "took her seat" on the project, although they are godmothers to each other.

Martynovska recalled that during one of the seasons her friend had a planned trip to New Zealand that she could not cancel, so the production team decided that Olha would temporarily serve as a judge. According to the chef, she never aspired to the judge’s position because she did not feel comfortable in that role. She was satisfied with the work as a food producer and with the status of "MasterChef" winner.

Tetyana Litvinova spoke about a conflict with Hector Jimenez-Bravo. The former judge of the "MasterChef" project admitted that it was difficult for her to communicate with the colleague because his mood constantly changed.

Tetyana Litvinova / Photo by Yana Lukyanenko

Dmytro Horovenko

The chef joined the project in the 2 season of "MasterChef. Kids," then he was in the 7 season of "MasterChef," and also in the 1 season of "MasterChef. Teens."

Today the man is in Ukraine, works in the culinary field and restaurant transformations, and also takes an active part in volunteering.

Dmytro Horovenko / Photo from Instagram

Yelyzaveta Hlinska

Yelyzaveta became the winner of the 2 season. Hlinska studied at the Paris academy Le Cordon Bleu, and when she returned to Ukraine she conducted master classes. She later opened the "GL" school, and in 2016 she became a winner at the World Championship in confectionery arts Mondial Des Arts Sucrés in the French capital. She published several books and was a judge on "MasterChef. Professionals" and "MasterChef"-9.

Yelyzaveta Hlinska / Photo from Instagram

Volodymyr Yaroslavskyi

Yaroslavskyi is a chef, restaurateur, brand chef of the Good Wine store, co-owner of the restaurants Lucky and CHEF'S TABLE, co-founder of the restaurant franchise Nai, and has been a judge on the "MasterChef" project for many years.

Contestants fear the chef the most because they consider him very strict. On air Volodymyr openly shares his life. For example, he has said that he would very much like to start his own family.

Volodymyr Yaroslavskyi / Photo Vitalii Chubenko

Recall that this year the third judge on "MasterChef. Professionals" will be Alex Yakutov. Recently an incredible event happened in his life. Together with his wife they adopted a boy.