Leo Jurešić is one of the prominent representatives of the new generation of Croatian confectioners. Leo Jurešić (born February 1, 2000 in Rijeka) became known to the general public in 2022 as the youngest competitor of the fifth season of the culinary show Masterchef Croatia. Although studying business economics in English in Rijeka was his priority, Leo found his true passion in cooking. Back in elementary school, he experimented in the kitchen – he used liquid nitrogen to make ice cream and researched molecular techniques that delighted him. Today Leo is a self-taught Pastry chef (confectioner) who makes desserts on the combination of tradition and innovation.
Early life and education
Leo Jurešić grew up in Rijeka, where he finished primary and secondary school. After high school, he enrolled business school with lectures in English. Although he studied economics, gastronomy always attracted him – even as a boy he helped his mother in the kitchen and experimented with recipes. In the quick, precise preparation of desserts, he was noticed by the media and culinary authorities: already as a teenager he impressed his colleagues with special dishes (eg transformed the cream with strawberries into granite using nitrogen). In this period, Leo also developed his own entrepreneurial trait – at only 15 years old, he founded his own company for making designer t-shirts, but he soon realized that cooking fulfills him more than that.
MasterChef Croatia (5th season)
Young culinary show contestant Masterchef on the recording of the show. In MasterChef Season 5 (2022), Leo attracted attention as the youngest Competitor and the only man in the final top-5. Although his task was often in the show to prepare salty dishes, Leo immediately explained that his love for sweets the biggest. His cakes and desserts were evaluated by experts and the audience, praising creativity and technique. Although he made it right before the finals (he was eliminated a few days before the final episode), Leo considered the show a life experience in which he studied and cooked every day. He continued his story in MasterChef outside the show – he commented that he was remembered as a ‘young confectioner’ who likes to combine flavors with precision.
Professional rise and international experiences
After Masterchef, Leo Jurešić did not slow down. his is sweets envied the world: he did an internship in a prestigious restaurant for several months Enigma in Barcelona, run by the Ferran brothers and Albert Adria, where he specially perfected the dessert department. He is familiar with the top techniques of modern confectionery – for example, he also uses 3D printers to create complex shapes and textures in desserts. In addition, he also trained in France with recognized chefs. This travel and education helped him become confident and innovative Chef: In the conversations, he points out that every dessert must be aesthetically impressive, but that primacy must always give the taste and quality of the ingredients. It was his modern approaches that earned him the title of one of the most promising young confectioners in Croatia.
- Experience in world kitchens: Leo repeatedly emphasized that his most important experience was precisely in Enigma (Barcelona) with the Adria brothers. He spent months there in the Pastry department, learning from the creators of molecular gastronomy. In addition, he participated in a number of world courses and seminars, where he adopted techniques from the most famous authors.
Techniques and style of preparation of desserts
Leo Jurešić is known for combining different textures and flavors. His desserts often combine creamy, crunchy, sweet and salty elements to evoke the ‘wow-effect’ of the guest. As a type 1 diabetic (he got the diagnosis in the third grade of elementary school), he especially takes care of the balance of ingredients and healthy alternatives. Sam points out that diabetes encouraged him to research healthier versions of his favorite cakes and is continuously looking for innovations in confectionery that do not sacrifice taste for the sake of health.
Social networks and media presence
It is also known for its online popularity. He shares recipes and videos of his creative desserts which brought him over 60,000 followers. There he publishes cakes shaped like exotic fruits or decorated with edible flowers, often causing admiration and comments: as he says, he never thought about the number of companions, but ‘people recognize effort and persistence’.
More than that, Leo recently stepped into television: in 2025, he became a co-host of the new Gastro travelogue series “appetites” on HRT, together with actress Vini Jurčić. In the show, he travels by train on the historical routes of the former Austria-Hungary, exploring cultural stories and flavors and cooking traditional dishes of Central European cuisine. The series premiered at the end of 2025 and further strengthened its popularity.
Quick overview – key data
- Born: February 1, 2000 (Rijeka).
- Education: Studied Business Economics in English (Faculty in Rijeka).
- MasterChef: The youngest competitor of the 5th season of MasterChef Croatia (2022).
- Career: self-taught confectioner; He interned at Enigma (Barcelona) restaurants with the Adria brothers and in France.
- Specialty: Creative desserts – combines different textures and techniques (3D printer for desserts, molecular approach).
- Diabetes: lives with type 1 diabetes (diagnosed in childhood); This motivated him to explore healthier cakes and accurate control of ingredients.
- Popularity: More than 60,000 followers on Instagram follow his innovative desserts. He also runs a Gastro series “appetites” on HRT.
- Plans: The opening of his first pastry shop in Zagreb, focused on chocolate desserts and gluten-free delicacies, is being prepared.
Conclusion
Leo Jurešić is an example of how passion and persistence can make a difference. From a young man who just wanted to cook, he developed into a recognizable chef and role model for many dessert lovers. Through MasterChef and various media projects, he showed not only the skill of preparing dessert art, but also his determination to overcome personal challenges (such as living with diabetes). He won over the audience with his personality and creativity, and his further steps – from training in top kitchens to opening his own patisserie – promise to continue his career worth attention. Those interested in Lee’s recipes and adventures can follow him on his social network profiles (Instagram @leo_juresic) and follow the broadcast of the series “appetites” on HRT. In any case, the story of this young talented confectioner has just developed, so we will be eagerly following what the next chapters of his career will bring.
