21-Year-Old Mykyta Snoyda Wins Season 17 of MasterChef

Grand Finale of MasterChef Season 17

According to РБК-Україна — Lite: The grand finale of MasterChef Season 17 delivered fresh culinary excitement to viewers and crowned a winner. During the final challenge, contestants developed concepts for their own restaurants. Alina Kuzmenko and Mykyta Snoyda were the first to advance to the finals.

Finalists' Restaurant Concepts

Alina Kuzmenko centered her concept on Ukrainian hospitality, using bread as a key symbol. Her appetizer lineup included:

• stuffed pike with beetroot jelly, highlighting national traditions;
• baked meat in pastry with potatoes;
• a dessert of cream-filled pastries with regional berries, which also impressed the judges.

Mykyta Snoyda presented a restaurant called 'Under the Skin of Ukrainian Soil.' For his appetizer, he offered:

• taratuta with sheep cheese and a kvass-based sauce, showcasing an innovative take on traditional recipes;
• a main course of lamb rack with potatoes and mushroom soil;
• dessert: a pistachio lakitka made with white chocolate, persimmon sauce, almond blossom, and rosemary.

The winner of MasterChef Season 17 is 21-year-old Mykyta Snoyda, originally from Samara. He currently works at a youth center, underscoring his dedication to growing in the culinary field.

This season of MasterChef not only highlighted the contestants' cooking talents but also their ability to reinterpret Ukrainian traditions through modern gastronomy. Mykyta Snoyda's victory could serve as a springboard for his future culinary career, as his concept reflected a forward-thinking approach to classic dishes. Notably, both finalists promoted Ukrainian cuisine, which is gaining popularity in today's food scene.