For the first time, a vegan chef participated in the Masterchef program

Masterchef is a very popular cooking competition show around the world, and this is the first time the show has chosen a vegan contestant to participate in the Romanian version.

Vegan contestant and professional athlete Alex Lenghel told Planted Based News that he is "full of excitement and gratitude" to represent the vegan community on the show.

Alex is taking part in the latest season of Masterchef Romania, which is currently airing.

“I give all the credit to veganism for becoming the man I want to be in every way: culinary, mental, physical, spiritual.”

The 36-year-old athlete has a storied history in the bodybuilding world. He once became a national bodybuilding champion. He has also won a series of competitions such as Pure Elite, Miami Pro and 2 Bros Pros.

Masterchef Romania welcomes vegan contestants

Lenghel went vegan in 2018 and says his ability to lift heavy weights has made no difference. He is now known as “Massive Vegan,” which is also the name of a vegan supplement company he helped found.

Speaking to PBN, he talked about the experiences that led him to give up meat and dairy products. And, how it has allowed him to live the “best version” of himself.

“Coming from a village in Romania, I used to keep small animals in the backyard, it was part of the culture and I grew up like this.

“I always raise animals with love like my grandmother taught me, to be able to put food on a plate, such as eggs and milk,” he explains.

And while cooking was an important part of his early life, he didn't care much for the meat and dairy industries.

But when he moved to Bucharest, he did some research on the animal agriculture system and was moved by compassion. Being vegan “filled my heart and soul, and something inside me changed,” he said.