Kid-centric baking competitions or cooking shows are always a staple ingredient for families who wish to spend some quality time with their kiddos, while equally enjoying a series with them. At the start of a season itself, everyone becomes busy picking their own favorites. Adding to this slate of entertaining titles is the children-friendly counterpart of Food Network’s iconic reality TV show, ‘Chopped‘. Titled ‘Chopped Junior’, it features four adolescent chefs, experts in the art of curating culinary marvels. The episodes chronicle their efforts as they battle one another to win a cash prize of $10,000. Season 1 of the show aired on Food Network on October 27, 2015, and it has now been renewed for an eighth installment. Here’s all we know about the latest season.
Chopped Junior Cast: Who is in it?
Ted Allen hosts every episode of ‘Chopped Junior’. An author and TV personality, he has featured as a food and wine connoisseur on Bravo’s series, namely ‘Queer Eye’. He is also the presenter of ‘Chopped’, ‘Best. Ever’, and ‘All-Star Academy’. A contributing writer to Esquire magazine, an author of two cookbooks, and a regular cast member in ‘The Best Thing I Ever Ate‘, he has featured in a variety of other cooking shows as well. Apart from Allen, Anthony Anderson, Amanda Freitag, and Scott Conant are credited as the judges on the judging panel.
Chopped Junior Plot: What is it about?
While the appetizer round is of 30 minutes, the entrée and dessert rounds are both for 30 minutes. Once the dishes are final, the panel offers their feedback and criticism. Then the judges take a call on which chef is “chopped,” and evicted from the competition. The final winner gets $10,000 as the reward and is given the coveted Chopped Junior chef’s coat.
Just like its predecessors, season 8 of the show follows a similar format. This time, four extremely skilled kid chefs are sent on a virtual food trail across Europe. In round 1, they need to create something with a hint of Italy. Round 2 sees them experimenting with German culinary adventures, while the entree round compels the youngsters to try and figure out what to do with something called apfelstrudel. In the dessert round, they need to prepare the ultimate English breakfast tea.
As the season progresses, we get to witness weirder challenges. For example, one of the tasks involves using alligator tenderloin for creating a unique appetizer. What’s more? The entree basket contains edible slime that needs to be included in the main course. The dessert round challenges the kids to use conventional milk and cereal to curate a whimsical, tasty dish.
Another episode follows the cooking aficionados as they attempt to impress the panel and guest judge, Jessica Alba. This time, the appetizers include beef tongues. The entree comprises ingredients such as orange cream, smoothie and savory titbits. Again, the dessert round demands them to make the best use of a giant lollipop and an odd sandwich.
