MasterChef Poland star Mariusz Komenda has died aged 44. His death was confirmed on October 7, following a battle with a brain tumour diagnosed in January 2026.
Komenda was rushed to hospital with a suspected stroke in January 2026, where scans revealed a tumour on his brain in the right thalamus, positioned above the brainstem. He underwent two operations, radiotherapy and rehabilitation during his illness.
MasterChef journey and surgical fight
Komenda featured in the eighth series of MasterChef Poland in 2019, progressing to the semi-final stage. He later returned to the show as both a guest and a judge, assessing hopefuls in the position he once held.
The chef faced what was described as the "hardest fight of his life" this year following his diagnosis. Surgeons removed a glioma from his brain during one operation and extracted part of his skull in another procedure.
Tributes from co-stars and restaurant legacy
Komenda launched a fundraiser to cover travel costs for treatment, alongside medication and scans, setting a target of £31,000.
Tributes flooded in from his former co-stars. Grzegorz Zawierucha, winner of the 2019 series, wrote: "Maniu... I can't manage to write anything. Goodbye, brother. See you. Prepare the most delicious dinner today, my friend." Co-star Mateusz Krojenka said he was "wrecked" by the news and praised Komenda's "infectious smile".
MasterChef Poland issued a statement saying: "It is hard to find words that could express our grief. Mariusz, we will miss you very much." They added that Komenda will be remembered for his "passion, energy and love of cooking."
Komenda opened Sztuka Restaurant in his hometown of Roda lska, Poland. In April 2026, he also opened the Mexican restaurant Father & Son with his son Mateusza.
