American version of the culinary competition series that gives talented kids between the ages of 8 and 13 the chance to showcase their culinary abilities and passion for food through a series of delicious challenges. Celebrated food experts coach and encourage the promising hopefuls to cook like pros and teach them the tricks of the trade along the way.
Written by Sophie and last updated on feb 10, 2023.
PS: The following content contains spoilers!
PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!
The remaining 6 junior home cooks receive a special invitation to Gordon's home for their next team challenge. Each team will prepare a two-course menu for a VIP lunch, including a seared red snapper appetizer and a roasted venison loin entrée. Later in the MasterChef kitchen, the judges will reveal which team received the best overall feedback on their dishes and had the most successful lunch service and which contestants will be in jeopardy of elimination. Then, it's up to the judges to decide who will go home and who will continue in the competition and compete in the semi-finals.
The episode was rated 7.85 from 115 votes.
The top 14 junior home cooks face a difficult mystery box challenge where they must learn to butcher an entire duck and make a dish from it; The cooks are paired up and challenged to create a dozen of the tastiest cupcakes they can make.
The episode was rated 7.86 from 98 votes.
The final three contestants carry on cooking their 3-course meal. In the end, only one will be crowned the winner and receive a check for $100,000.
The episode was rated 7.87 from 104 votes.
The final four cooks must break down an Alaskan king salmon and produce as many perfect filets possible; contestants must create a restaurant-quality salmon dish with a limited number of ingredients.
The episode was rated 7.87 from 120 votes.
The remaining 4 junior home cooks compete in the semi-finals and are challenged to make the ultimate dessert - a soufflé! The winner receives a huge advantage in the elimination challenge. Later, the contestants must prepare a unique dish with a select cut of pork. Then, it's up to the judges to decide who will go home and who will continue in the competition and compete in the finals.
The episode was rated 7.87 from 119 votes.
The Top 14 junior home cooks receive a mystery box challenge inspired by the White House garden from former First Lady Michelle Obama. The young cooks must come up with an original recipe that is both healthy and presidential worthy, and the winner will receive a special once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! For the next challenge, Julie Bowen steps into the MasterChef kitchen to watch the kids make a dish in honor of their moms. Then, it's up to the judges to decide which contestant will go home.
The episode was rated 7.90 from 269 votes.
This week, the seven remaining junior chefs test their culinary knowledge of different types of eggs and cuts of steak. In 45 minutes, the chefs must create a dish with an egg of their choice, ranging from a tiny quail egg to a giant ostrich egg. The winning chef earns immunity and decides the order in which the other contestants will choose a cut of steak in an Operation-style game. The winner of the steak challenge will get his or her recipe published and win a trip to a cattle ranch.
The episode was rated 7.91 from 44 votes.
A pancake-flipping contest precedes a challenge to create the best citrus cream pie.
The episode was rated 7.93 from 138 votes.
Two finalists compete for the $100,000 prize; the chefs must create an entrée and dessert that best represents themselves.
The episode was rated 7.97 from 37 votes.
The cooks create dishes using foods kids don't usually like; the kids must create layer cakes in 90 minutes.
The episode was rated 7.98 from 125 votes.
Twenty-four cooks between the ages of eight and 13 prepare dishes for the judges.
The episode was rated 8.00 from 228 votes.
MASTERCHEF JUNIOR Season One winner Alexander Weiss makes a surprise return, as the chefs are challenged to filet as many fish as they can in 15 minutes. The three chefs who filet the least number of fish will need to create a show-stopping salmon dish to make it to the final four.
The episode was rated 8.05 from 37 votes.
The top three contestants are visited by their loved ones, and they have one hour to cook a dish for each of the judges that is inspired by their families. The contestant with the worst dish will be eliminated.
The episode was rated 8.07 from 42 votes.
The top 2 junior chefs prepare a three-course menu in their last challenge; the winner is crowned, receiving a trophy and a $100,000 prize.
The episode was rated 8.10 from 133 votes.
The two remaining cooks prepare three-course menus; the winner is chosen.
The episode was rated 8.16 from 128 votes.
