Junior MasterChef Australia

The show started with 50 very excited children. After high-fiving the Judges, the Junior MasterChefs were divided into five groups of 10. Each group would do a 45-minute cooking challenge where the four best dishes would get through. The first group had an International theme where Tayla, Nick and sisters – Isabella and Sofia got through. The second group had to make a dessert with the Judges deciding Lucy, Clarrie, Sam and Ashley would make it through.

The final spots for the Top 20 were up for grabs with 3 final heats. A seafood challenge saw a surprise appearance and solo judgement by Matt Preston, who put through Alex, Ainsleigh, Sophie J and Sophie M. The next heat pitted the youngest kids against each other. Making it through were Siena, Anthony, Nicholas and Te Ani. The final heat had George decked out in his best butcher gear for a meat challenge, with the final 4 spots of the Top 20 filled by Jack, Pierre, Emily and Cassidy.

It’s a big day with the Top 20 cooking for a place in the Top 12. The first round is an Invention Test which involves chicken and vegies. The next round is a Pressure Test with MasterChef Finalist Callum providing the dish they must cook. In the end it’s Sam, Isabella, Sophia, Nick, Alex, Jack, Siena, Lucy, Cassidy, Emily, Anthony and Pierre who are chosen for the Junior MasterChef Top 12.

The Top 12 enter the official Junior MasterChef kitchen for the first time, and learn about the points system. They start with a Mystery Box Challenge. Within the box are ingredients like chocolate, prawns, lemon and eggs. Except for sandwiches, anything can be made. The second test is an Invention Test with a “Pie and a Side” theme. All the young cooks amaze the judges who find awarding the points very hard to do.

The Junior MasterChefs faced their first Team Challenge – running a high school tuck-shop. Both teams had to create a menu with a hot dish, a cold dish and a dessert. Ultimately it was the blue team who pipped the red team at the post with their menu of sushi, honey soy chicken and noodles and custard tarts. The red team returned to the kitchen full of positivity and excitement to do a very posh dessert Pressure Test.

It was a special Masterclass for 10 of the Top 50 who came to the Junior MasterChef kitchen to learn some new tricks and cook a few dishes too. Apart from Gary, Season One MasterChef finalist Poh and Executive Chef from Red Lantern, Mark Jensen came in for a visit. It was a delicious day with Chicken Schnitzels, Vietnamese Pho soups and creamy Panna Cottas, and by the smiles on the faces – it was a memorable one too.