The new year begins in the kitchen of MasterChef Italy. Thursday 1 January 2026, at 9.15pm on Sky and streaming on NOW (always available on demand), the aspiring chefs return to the competition in front of the judges Bruno Barbieri, Antonino Cannavacciuolo and Giorgio Locatellibetween unpublished tests, new challenges and a very clear watchword: no distractions.
The episode opens under the banner of sustainability, with a great innovation for the cooking show: the Green Mystery Boxa test dedicated to zero waste and the reuse of ingredients.
The Green Mystery Boxes are back with Chef Chiara Pavan: the “Green Pin” is also up for grabs
Chef returns to the station Chiara Pavanat the helm of the Venissa restaurant in the Venetian lagoon, awarded a Michelin Star and a Green Star. His philosophy revolves around protecting the planet through cooking: reduction of waste, use of sustainable ingredients, collaboration with small producers and a 0km supply chain. Under the Green Mystery Boxes, amateur chefs will have to prepare a dish that respects these principles.
There will be two special awards up for grabs: the Golden Pin, the “joker” to be used in subsequent tests; the new Green Pin, reserved for the most sustainable dish, which will allow you to get 10 extra minutes in a future challenge. A test that changes the pace of the competition and brings the environmental theme directly to the center of the MasterChef kitchen.
Invention Test: Cannavacciuolo brings its “liquid salad”
Immediately afterwards comes the Invention Test, led by Antonino Cannavacciuolo. The protagonist of the test will be one of his most famous and technically complex signature dishes such as “liquid salad”. Competitors will have to compete with balance, technique and precision, trying to replicate one of the chef’s symbolic dishes.
Test outdoors
Whoever passes the first challenges will fly to the first outdoor test of the season. The destination is one of the symbolic lands of Italian gastronomic culture: Parmigiano Reggiano. The brigade will move to Rivalta, a hamlet of Lesignano de’ Bagni (Parma), where the competitors will meet cheesemakers, beaters and tasters, listen to the history of the cheese and cook for 50 people who work among the wheels of Parmesan every day.
The two teams, Red Brigade and Blue Brigade, will compete in front of a demanding audience: only one will go up to the balcony, while the other will have to face the Pressure Test with the dreaded black aprons. For some, the episode will mark the end of their journey in the MasterChef Italia kitchen.
Last updated: Tuesday 30 December 2025, 1.30pm
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