When MasterChef Italia reopened its stove on Thursday 11 December for the fifteenth season, it was Luciano Del Rio92 years old, the oldest contestant in the history of the program. His story isn’t just about cooking: it’s about love, memory and passion.
Originally from La Spezia and resident in Rome, Luciano has spent much of his life away from the kitchen: serving in the Navy and then managing a company. His passion for food was born relatively late, alongside his wife Miriam. When she got sick, Luciano picked up ladles and pans, learning recipes and techniques to prepare the dishes she loved. After her passing, cooking became a way to feel close to her and keep the family memory alive. “I have never done anything crazy in my life, if this isn’t crazy,” he joked at the casting, showing the light-heartedness of someone who faces a challenge with enthusiasm and humility.
In the first episode he won over the judges with stuffed muscles in La Spezia stylea simple but intense dish, capable of recounting roots, affection and passion. Two yeses took him directly into the Masterclass, to the surprise and admiration of his fellow competitors. Luciano demonstrates that passion knows no age and that food can unite generations and cultures.
Everything you need to know about the new season
The 15th edition of the culinary talent show confirms the formula that has won over millions of viewers: passion, technique and personal stories behind every dish. The trio of judges – Bruno Barbieri, Antonino Cannavacciuolo and Giorgio Locatelli – guides the competitors in challenges that combine creativity, tradition and the ability to tell their story through food.
The three judges of MasterChef: Giorgio Locatelli, Antonino Cannavacciuolo and Bruno Barbieri
(HANDLE)
From the selections of “Live Cooking”, with 45 minutes behind the scenes and 5 in front of the judges to win the white apron of the Masterclass, to the new Green Mystery Boxes dedicated to sustainability and the fight against food waste, each test puts technique and inventiveness to the test.
Alongside the classic challenges (Mystery Box, Invention Test, Pressure Test and Skill Test) the outdoor tests take the competitors to great Italian restaurants and international culinary experiences, combining memory and innovation.
This edition invites competitors and the public to reflect on how food is a universal language of culture and identity. In a period in which television is looking for formats capable of combining technique and human narration, MasterChef confirms its strength: telling stories of real people, dreams and second chances. Luciano, at 92 years old, perfectly embodies this spirit.
