MASTERCHEF JUNIOR returns for a highly-anticipated eighth season, giving talented kids the chance to showcase their culinary abilities and passion for food through a series of mouth-watering challenges. The Top 16 junior chefs, between the ages of 8 and 13, receive a coveted white apron and must prove that they deserve to stay in the game by completing their first mystery challenge of the season. Judges and mentors in Season Eight include world renowned chef Gordon Ramsay, acclaimed chef Aarón Sánchez and wellness advocate, author and new judge Daphne Oz. The three culinary heavyweights will determine which pint-sized home cook will be named America’s next MASTERCHEF JUNIOR, taking home a trophy and $100,000 in prize money.
One of the toughest seasons yet, Season Eight will feature even more unique and messy challenges for the judges and chef-testants, including cooking a meal for diners at a historical renaissance fair, participating in a WWE-themed episode, competing to see how they size up to monster trucks at a motocross track, and welcoming Gordon’s daughter, Tilly Ramsay, into the kitchen for a donut challenge.
In the premiere episode, “Punch And Munch,” airing Thursday, March 17 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX, the pint-sized contestants must punch a hole through a wall of mystery ingredients, and make a dish featuring the item in their respective squares.
Meet the MASTERCHEF JUNIOR Top 16 and find out their signature dishes:
A’Dan
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Signature Dish: Grilled Salmon with Steamed Broccoli & Mashed Potatoes
Culinary Dream: Open a vegan restaurant
Abir
Hometown: San Ramon, CA
Signature Dish: Penne Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto & Meatballs
Culinary Dream: Write a cookbook that teaches people how to add a punch of flavor
Andrew
Hometown: Superior Township, MI
Signature Dish: Pan-seared Filet Mignon with Baked Potato & S’More Brownies
Culinary Dream: Open a hockey-themed establishment in Michigan, where he will serve all kinds of sweets
Blake
Hometown: Darien, IL
Signature Dish: Teriyaki Salmon with Steamed Asparagus
Culinary Dream: Go to a famous culinary school in Italy or France & become a famous chef
Ciara
Hometown: Bakersfield, CA
Signature Dish: Roasted Chicken with Balsamic Sauce & Cheesy Potatoes with Zucchini
Culinary Dream: Own a bakery that offers classes to kids with disabilities
Cruz
Hometown: Porter Ranch, CA
Signature Dish: Papa La Huancaina, a Spicy Sauce Made from Peruvian Chili & Cheese over Boiled Potatoes
Culinary Dream: Open a restaurant; become a famous food critic
Eva
Hometown: Sag Harbor, NY
Signature Dish: Roasted Shrimp Salad with Roasted Yellow & Red Peppers
Culinary Dream: Own a 3-Star Michelin Restaurant
Freddy
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Signature Dish: Fried Chicken Sandwich with Pepper Jack Cheese & Spicy Coleslaw
Culinary Dream: Own a restaurant franchise in Philadelphia
Grayson
Hometown: Austin, TX
Signature Dish: Pan-seared Duck Breast with Duck Fat Potatoes, Asian Pears and Blackberry Gastrique
Culinary Dream: Open a technique-driven, ingredient-focused restaurant in Los Angeles, serving Japanese French fusion cuisine
Ivy
Hometown: Darien, CT
Signature Dish: Grilled Chicken with Creamy Mashed Potatoes & Roasted Vegetables
Culinary Dream: Write her own cookbook with recipes inspired by fashion icons
Jillian
Hometown: Yonkers, NY
Signature Dish: Grilled Shrimp with Lemongrass Tomato Sauce over Pasta
Culinary Dream: Write a kids cookbook teaching healthy and tasty recipes
Liya
Hometown: Scarsdale, NY
Signature Dish: Pork Dumpling with Spicy Garlic Sauce
Culinary Dream: Open a restaurant that serves hibachi & sushi
Maclain
Hometown: South Salem, NY
Signature Dish: Linguini Carbonara in a Light Cream & Egg Sauce with Bacon
Culinary Dream: Open a patisserie in the Northeast
Molly
Hometown: Springfield, MO
Signature Dish: The Molly Burger: Wagyu Beef topped with Cheese, Bacon & a Worcestershire-based Sauce with a side of Hand-Cut French Fries
Culinary Dream: Open a restaurant in Springfield called “Molly Moos,” that serves southern comfort and Italian dishes
Starla
Hometown: Bay Minette, AL
Signature Dish: Doritos-crusted Chicken Breast with a side Caesar Salad
Culinary Dream: Open a food truck serving mini pancakes and waffles with
southern fried meats
Tegan
Hometown: Billings, MT
Signature Dish: Pan-seared Chicken Breast with Sautéed Veggies & Rice
Culinary Dream: Open a restaurant
MASTERCHEF JUNIOR is produced by Endemol Shine North America and One Potato Two Potato, and is based on a format created by Franc Roddam and Endemol Shine. Elisabeth Murdoch, Natalka Znak, Danny Schrader, Gordon Ramsay, Pat Llewellyn, Ben Adler, Sharon Levy, DJ Nurre and Georgie Hurford-Jones serve as executive producers. “Like” MASTERCHEF JUNIOR on Facebook at facebook.com/MasterChefJuniorFOX. Follow the series on Twitter @MasterChefJrFOX and join the discussion at #MasterChefJunior. Check out photos and videos on Instagram @masterchefjunior/.
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Parade: Meet the 16 Pint-Sized Chefs Competing on MasterChef Junior Season 8
