Mariusz Komenda, known for his appearance on the “MasterChef Poland” program, passed away. He was 44 years old.
The chef, who reached the semi-finals of the show’s eighth season in 2019, died on Wednesday, months after being diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Polish news outlet roland-gazeta.pl, based in Komenda’s hometown of Środa Śląska, was the first to report the news.
TVN network, which airs “MasterChef Poland,” confirmed Komenda’s death in a social media statement, according to People, citing Polish media outlets.
“We received the news of Mariusz Komenda’s death with great sadness,” the statement said. “Mariusz was part of the ‘MasterChef’ family. We will remember him as a man full of passion, energy and love of cooking.”
The creators of “MasterChef” also paid tribute to Komenda in a similar statement, echoing TVN’s words that he was “part of the MasterChef family” and will be remembered as a man filled with “passion, energy and a love of cooking,” according to People.
“It is difficult to find words to express our fate,” the statement continued. “We share his pain with his family, loved ones and everyone who had the opportunity to know him. Mariusz, we will miss you very much.”
Komenda shared details of his diagnosis on a fundraising page linked to his Instagram account in March, revealing that he was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in early January after being hospitalized with a “suspected stroke.”
“I thought this was just a temporary crisis. Unfortunately, the reality turned out to be much crueler,” he wrote in a statement translated from Polish. “From that moment on, the toughest fight of my life began.”
Towards the end of January, Komenda was admitted to a hospital in Warsaw, where he underwent multiple “emergency, life-saving” surgeries; one was to remove the tumor in his right thalamus, and the other was to remove part of his ability to “relieve pressure and give strength.” [him] a chance to continue the fight.”
Subsequent tests revealed additional cancerous lesions on his body, and Komenda said he “submitted neurorehabilitation” in hopes of regaining his “physical function.”
He said he created the fundraising page to help pay for treatment and recovery costs, which he said were “enormous and unfortunately beyond my means.”
Before his death, Komenda opened the Father & Son restaurant in his hometown of Środa Śląska with his son in April 2025, People reported.