JEDDAH — The grand final of the inaugural season of MasterChef Arabia attracted 1.5 millions viewers, and witnessed the win of 21 year-old Badr Al Sheikh from Al-Khobar, becoming the show’s first winner.



Al Sheikh said: “The experience in the MasterChef kitchen has been life-changing, nerve-wracking and the greatest fun you could have.”



He added: “I’ve always derived great pleasure from cooking but never considered myself up to a professional level but I now want to open my own restaurant and catering business.”



The judges were all praise for Al Sheikh who pocketed a check worth SR250,000, which was presented by Dr. Abdullah Alhumood, vice president of TV Affairs of Saudi Broadcast Company (SBC), at the STV1 station in Riyadh.



Judge Hafedh Al Koheji said: “The final was, as expected, of the highest standard but Badr just edged it.”



Judge Badr Fayez said: “His invention test offerings were exceptional.” Judge Yasser Jad said: “Badr showed great potential from the very beginning and managed to make it to the end and win the first title of MasterChef Arabia.”



MasterChef Arabia’s runner-up was 27 year-old Afnan Al Jaadi from Jeddah, who acquired her cooking expertise from the Internet.



“I’ve had a wonderful time on the show and am delighted that I came so close to the title. I hope I can take what I have learned here and turn it into a career,” she said.



The final challenge by MasterChef Arabia was the “Invention Test,” where the two finalists had to prepare a three-course meal consisting of an appetizer, main course and dessert.



The atmosphere in the MasterChef Arabia kitchen during the final was electric, with friends and families of the finalists, and the top 20 contestants, with whom the finalists competed, were in attendance.



Mohammed Al-Saeede, official spokesperson for MasterChef Arabia, said that the show “changes the way people think about food and the hospitality industry.” He went on to praise the home cooks who put themselves forward for the MasterChef challenge. “The caliber of the contestants couldn’t have been higher and the final was sensational.” — SG