The kitchen got very hot during the finale of Top Chef VIP. Any of the four finalists could have snagged the big prize of $200,000. Salvador Zerboni, Lorena Herrera, Cristina Porta, and Paco Pizaña all showed off their skills. They created original dishes from scratch, moving past being amateur cooks. They aimed for a refined touch to become the ultimate winner of the reality show, which wrapped up on Monday, October 6, 2025.
After a long, four-hour finale, the grand prize and the golden knife went to Cristina Porta. She won with a menu inspired by the different stages of motherhood. Let’s get to know the dazzling winner of this tasty reality show.
Cristina Porta, a Spanish journalist, stood out among the finalists of Top Chef VIP 4. Her clear Spanish accent and strong personality certainly made waves. She came to the show ready to win the competition and take home the $200,000 prize.
Her time on the show was full of buzz. She had a cultural disagreement with Mexican contestant CurvyZelma. She also became an accomplice to Paco Pizaña. On social media, people either loved her or hated her. Many agreed Cristina Porta is a beautiful woman, despite the drama.
Cristina Porta: The Journalist Who Conquered Top Chef VIP 4
Cristina, 35, isn’t just a journalist; she’s made a name for herself in both sports and entertainment. She holds degrees in Journalism, Advertising, and Public Relations from Rovira i Virgili University in Catalonia.
She kicked off her career as a writer for TV shows like ‘Sálvame’ and ‘Cazamariposas.’ Over time, she moved into sports journalism. This included working on shows like ‘Punto Pelota’ (now ‘El Chiringuito’), ‘Madridistas por el Mundo’ on Real Madrid TV, and ‘Los Infiltrados.’
One of her career highlights was covering the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. She reported for the Spanish channel La Sexta, which brought her national attention. She also hosted shows for Mega, like ‘The Game Show,’ for several seasons.
Her presence in the United States has also grown. Before joining ‘Top Chef VIP,’ she appeared on shows like ‘La Mesa Caliente‘ and ‘Pica y se extiende.’ There, she brought her usual controversial flair, fitting her journalistic and public opinion style.
Cristina Porta. Photo by David Benito/Getty Images
No Stranger to Reality TV Drama
Cristina Porta truly stepped into the entertainment spotlight with her role in the 2021 reality show ‘Secret Story: La casa de los secretos.’ During her time on the show, she became romantically involved with Luca Onestini, an Italian contestant.
Their relationship created many memorable and emotional moments within the show. They continued dating for a few months after the show ended.
In fact, Porta later appeared on the fourth season of ‘La Casa de los Famosos.’ There, she even shared living quarters with Aleska Génesis, another former partner of Luca.
On ‘Secret Story,’ Cristina also shared a shocking secret. She confessed to having been tempted to work as an escort. This revelation caused a stir across social media.
What’s striking about Cristina Porta, who has over 330,000 followers on Instagram, is her multifaceted public image. She seamlessly blends the serious journalist with the reality star loved for her authenticity. She also expertly uses social media to build a community interested in her thoughts and reinventions. Plus, she often posts sensual photos, showcasing her physique as another appeal to the cameras.
Cristina Porta arrived at ‘Top Chef VIP 4’ not as an expert chef. Instead, she came as a driven competitor with a solid foundation and a captivating blend of realness. This unique mix took her all the way to the finale and, ultimately, to victory.
Reported by Norma Angélica Gómez.