Sergio Sendel, Lorena Herrera, Juan Soler, Cristina Porta, Jerry Bazúa, Valeria Cuevas, Sergio Goyri, Nicole Curiel, Matías Ochoa, and Curvy Zelma Are the First 10 Celebrities to Accept the Biggest Challenge of their Lives in the Most Famous Kitchen on U.S. Spanish-Language TV
The Winner of this Epic Cooking Competition, Hosted by Carmen Villalobos, Will Take Home the $200,000 Cash Prize and the Coveted Top Chef VIP Title
MIAMI, FL – July 1, 2025 – Telemundo’sTop Chef VIP, the most famous kitchen on U.S. Spanish-language television, is turning up the heat for a brand-new season full of tension, excitement, and lots of spice, premiering Tuesday, July 29 at 7pm/6c. This fourth edition brings together 20 celebrities who will trade in glamour to don the legendary chef’s jacket as they face the biggest culinary challenge of their lives. This gastronomic adventure will be full of intense rivalries, surprising twists and fun moments that will test the participants’ talent and endurance beyond limits. Carmen Villalobos returns as host in a season packed with challenges designed to push the aspiring chefs far beyond their comfort zones. Only one will win over the discerning palates of the demanding judges and walk away with $200,000 cash prize and the coveted Top Chef VIP title.
Carmen Villalobosreturns as host for this new season of Top Chef VIP. Originally from Barranquilla, Colombia, Villalobos has been the face of this hit culinary competition since its debut, becoming a beloved presence for four consecutive seasons. Recognized as one of the most versatile talents in the entertainment industry, she boasts a distinguished career that includes starring roles in hit television series, cohosting major specials, and maintaining a strong social media presence with millions of followers on Instagram and TikTok.
The first 10 celebrities who have accepted the challenge in this new edition are:
- Sergio Sendel – Acclaimed Mexican actor known for his successful career portraying iconic villains in hit telenovelas.
- Lorena Herrera – Popular actress and singer who has become an entertainment icon in Mexico, recognized for her glamorous image and roles in successful telenovelas, as well as her participation in reality competitions.
- Juan Soler – Argentine-Mexican actor with a distinguished career in internationally acclaimed telenovelas and theater productions, including several original Telemundo series.
- Cristina Porta – Renowned Spanish journalist and TV personality, celebrated for her bold personality and appearances in reality shows such as the fourth season of Telemundo’s La Casa de los Famosos.
- Jerry Bazúa – Mexican regional music singer and songwriter who rose to fame through his standout performance on La Voz México (The Voice Mexico).
- Valeria Cuevas – Mexican singer and daughter of Aida Cuevas, who has inherited her mother’s powerful voice and emerged as one of the most recognized young talents in regional music.
- Sergio Goyri – Prominent actor, producer, and director known for his commanding roles in Mexican films and telenovelas, with international recognition for his strong character portrayals.
- Nicole Curiel – Rising Mexican actress who has made her mark in television series and telenovelas.
- Matías Ochoa – Influential Argentine-born reality TV star and social media personality, known for his charisma and a TikTok following of over 15 million.
- Curvy Zelma – Well-known Mexican influencer, model, host, and actress who champions body positivity and has stood out in competitions such as Telemundo’s Los 50.
In its fourth season, Top Chef VIP will bring together a fresh lineup of 20 renowned personalities who will put their culinary skills to the test in episodes airing weekdays and Sundays. Week after week, their abilities and techniques will be evaluated by a panel of esteemed professional chefs, whose mission is to monitor their progress, mentor their development, and ultimately decide who stays and who leaves the competition. In the end, only one will rise above the rest to be crowned season champion, taking home the coveted Top Chef VIP title and a $200,000 cash prize.
Audiences will be able to watch Top Chef VIP on Telemundo, or catch up on the Telemundo app (available on Google Play Store and Apple Store) and Telemundo.com. New episodes will also be available to stream the next day on Peacock. Viewers can explore additional exclusive content by visiting Telemundo.com/TopChefVIP and following @TelemundoEntretenimiento on YouTube. Fans can join the conversation using the hashtag #TopChefVIP4 on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and X, and by following @TelemundoRealities.
Top Chef VIP is a RCN production for Telemundo based on NBCUniversal Formats’ Top Chef franchise, under the executive production of Francisco “Cisco” Suarez, Executive Vice President of Programming for Realities and Primetime Specials of Telemundo, along with Luciano Cardinali and Fernando Lorente as executive producers.
The fourth season of Top Chef VIP was selected to receive the CINA incentive (Certificate of Audiovisual Investment), granted by the Colombian government and administered by Proimágenes Colombia, a tax rebate equivalent to 35% of the money spent on audiovisual services in the country.
About Proimágenes Colombia:
Dedicated to the development of the Colombian film industry, Proimágenes Colombia (Fondo Mixto de Promoción Cinematográfica) is a non-profit organization supported by the public and private sectors. It administers the Film Development Fund – FDC, which provides cash resources to national productions and co-productions, and promotes Colombian cinema in the international arena. It also has acts as the Colombian Film Commission which promotes the country as a filming location, channeling incentives to national and international productions with cash refunds and tax incentives for international audiovisual projects.
About NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises:
NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises leads the media industry in the production and distribution of Spanish-language content for U.S. Hispanics and audiences around the world. The company serves U.S. Hispanics through its national broadcast network, the cable network Universo, and digital platforms including the Telemundo app, a suite of FAST channels, and streaming services, such as Peacock, among others. The Telemundo Network offers Spanish-language entertainment, news, and sports content reaching 95% of U.S. Hispanic TV households in 210 markets through 30 owned stations and 91 affiliate stations. Telemundo also owns an independent station serving Puerto Rico. Anchored on Telemundo Studios, the network is the #1 producer of scripted Spanish-language content in the U.S., and the only network to produce original content specifically for US Hispanic audiences. Offering over 600 hours of reality TV shows a year, and top-rated live specials such as the Billboard Latin Music Awards and Miss Universe, Telemundo is considered the undisputed Home of Live TV in Hispanic media. The network is also the exclusive Spanish-language home of the world’s two most popular sporting events, the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games. NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises is a division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.
Press contact:
Gerardo Oyola
Director, Alternative Programming Publicity
