Elche shines as MasterChef Celebrity’s outdoor challenge backdrop
Elche emerged as the surprise star of Monday night, captivating audiences as the seventh season of MasterChef Celebrity chose the palm-lined city as the setting for its outdoor test. The City Council highlighted the moment, noting that the historic center and the Huerto del Cura National Art Garden provided a dramatic stage for scenes crafted by this year’s contestants, a group that includes familiar faces and respected figures such as Norma Duval, Lorena Castell, Nico Abad, Xavier Deltell, and María Zurita.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, the Palmeral de Elche anchors the open-air test, which was captured for broadcast a few months earlier. Yesterday’s edition of La 1 showcased a wealth of the city’s tourist attractions, and viewers can also relive the material on RTVE Play starting today. In keeping with the show’s format, the cooking began with the participants in the city center and moved to Elche for guest tastings, featuring industry executives and regional representatives. The open-air challenge unfolded in front of the hall where the presentations had been announced, before guiding the contestants to Altamira Palace, the Basilica of Santa Maria, and finally the Huerto del Cura garden.
This live broadcast served as a powerful promotional beacon for Elche, offering over an hour of idyllic city imagery that resonated with viewers. The platform reported a reach of about 1.5 million viewers, with a share near 16 percent.
Cooking for a day in Huerto del Cura de Elche
Beyond the immediate tourism impact, VisitElche and related entities anticipate tangible economic benefits from the production. City officials estimate that more than a hundred people were involved in the filming, including the production crew, staging teams, and various local companies. The shoot spanned two days and brought a surge of activity and attention to the city.
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Under the guidance of Turisme Comunitat Valenciana, VisitElche coordinated every detail in collaboration with the programs producer, Shine Iberia, to ensure the broadcast captured the essence of Elche. The arrangement helped stage the city as the backdrop for the show’s culinary competition and underscored its ongoing appeal.