By Juliet Ebirim

The Nigerian culinary scene is set to take center stage following the unveiling of the official judges and sponsors for the debut season of MasterChef Nigeria.

The announcement ceremony, held at the Red Dish Chronicles Culinary School, Lagos, marked the formal introduction of the first Nigerian adaptation of the global MasterChef franchise. Produced by Primedia Group, the competition aims to highlight the country’s diverse culinary heritage by providing a platform for home cooks to showcase their skills on a national stage.

The inaugural panel of judges features two prominent figures in the Nigerian food industry: Chef Eros and Chef Stone. Chef Eros, founder of Ìlè Eros and a veteran of several international food ventures, is recognized for his work in modernizing traditional African gastronomy and promoting indigenous ingredients globally. He is joined by Chef Stone, the founder of Red Dish Chronicles Culinary School, who is widely known for his technical precision and extensive experience in professional culinary education and mentorship. Together, the duo will oversee the contestants’ progress, evaluating them on creativity, technique and flavor profiling.

The competition which premieres on April 26th, 2026, carries significant stakes, with the winner set to receive a grand prize of ₦73 million and the title of Nigeria’s first MasterChef. The season, scheduled to be broadcast on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family has garnered significant support from household staples, with Power Oil taking the lead as headline sponsor alongside brands like Sonia, Indomie, Coca-Cola, Malta Guinness and Flour Mills of Nigeria.