MasterChef

After the last episode's double elimination, one MasterChef contestant can earn a lifeline, bringing them closer to winning. Participants face the "Battles" for the coveted immunity pin, one of the show's toughest tests. The winner can use it in any elimination round to guarantee their stay. The battles consist of three rounds focused on contemporary pizza. In each round, only the top contestants remain in the kitchen, while the others head to the gallery. Neapolitan chef Ciro Cristiano, creator of Spain's best pizza and ranked 8th in the ‘50 Top Pizza World’, oversees the challenge. The first round features 12 contestants preparing Roman pizzas, with 8 advancing. The second round requires a calzone, narrowing the field to four. In the final round, those four cook a Neapolitan pizza to win one of two spots for the pin duel. The finalists then present either a classic sweet pizza or a flourless savory one to the judges, competing against ‘MasterChef 12+1’ winner Gabriela Hinojosa. Judging is blind to ensure fairness, with Anabel Alonso and Bibiana Fernández (‘Las Retales’) leading the kitchens and Marta Sanahuja joining the cooking team. In San Sebastián, contestants test their skills at GOe, the world’s largest gastronomic lab. Created by the Basque Culinary Center, it brings together chefs, scientists, and designers to research future food. Chef Pedro Subijana (three Michelin stars) welcomes them to prepare a six-tapa cocktail for 120 guests. Both teams cook the same dishes in mirror mode, watching each other as judges compare their performance.

For the elimination round, they take a culinary journey led by Japanese chef Hideki Matsuhisa (one Michelin star), who shares the keys to his cuisine. They must create three dishes (one with Wagyu, one with oysters, and one combining both) with their respective garnishes and sauces. Each dish requires precise timing and cannot be made simultaneously, as they use only a Japanese grill that delivers intense charcoal heat for slow, even cooking. The winner of the previous challenge is responsible for distributing different ingredients and sauces that their peers must integrate. Additionally, the judges invite influencer Isa Pantoja and model Asraf Beno, finalists from the decor show ‘DecoMasters’.