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Sotiris Kontizas: The 'Serious and Honorable' Reason He Was Away From MasterChef

Published February 19, 2026, 09:20
Sotiris Kontizas: The 'Serious and Honorable' Reason He Was Away From MasterChef

Sotiris Kontizas has returned to the MasterChef set after an absence due to a significant distinction. As Leonidas Koutsopoulos revealed, the chef traveled to Japan, where he was appointed goodwill ambassador for Japanese gastronomy by the Japanese Ministry of Forests and Fisheries. Kontizas was the first Greek to receive this title from the Japanese embassy, which made him feel particularly honored and moved. This distinction was the reason for his absence from the competition. Kontizas expressed his gratitude for the honor and stated that he is proud of the recognition of his work. His return to MasterChef was welcomed with enthusiasm by the judges and viewers.