Plot Synopsis

MASTERCHEF JUNIOR gives budding cooks between the ages of eight and 13 the opportunity to showcase their talent, culinary smarts and passion for food through a series of delicious challenges and cook-offs. Award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay, restaurateur and winemaker Joe Bastianich, and acclaimed chef Graham Elliot coach and encourage the promising hopefuls to cook like pros and teach them the tricks of the trade along the way. MASTERCHEF JUNIOR debuted on Friday, September 27, 2013 at 8pm ET/PT on FOX, as 24 cooks between the ages of eight and 13 started the competition by preparing dishes for the judges.

On Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at 8pm ET/PT, MASTERCHEF JUNIOR returned for its second season -- three days earlier than originally planned. Ramsay, Bastianich, and Elliot welcome 16 of the best junior home cooks in the country between the ages of eight and 13, including one eight-year-old; two nine-year-olds; four 10-year-olds; two 11-year-olds and seven 12-year-olds. In the premiere episode, America's first-ever MASTERCHEF JUNIOR, Alexander Weiss, returns to the kitchen as a special guest. Alexander presents the mystery box challenge, and the 16 junior home cooks will be tasked with preparing impressive dishes using the special guest's favorite ingredients, including pork chop, pork tenderloin, green apples, hazelnuts, Brussel sprouts, filo dough, fingerling potatoes, wild rice, whole grain mustard and artichoke. The winner of the challenge will have a significant advantage and select which of the judges' favorite proteins the remaining contestants will prepare in the elimination round. Later, the 12 junior home cooks with the best dishes will advance in the competition.

MASTERCHEF JUNIOR returned for its third season on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at 8pm ET/PT on FOX. In the season opener, America's Top 19 junior home cooks are introduced to their first mystery box challenge, in which they must make a complete restaurant-quality dish using any of the ingredients they are given. The winner of the challenge will have a significant advantage and select which of the judges' favorite pastas the remaining contestants will prepare in the elimination round. Later, the top junior home cooks with the best dishes will advance in the competition.

FOX premiered the fourth season of MASTERCHEF JUNIOR premiered on Friday November 6, 2015 at 8pm ET/PT, as returning judges Gordon Ramsay and Graham Elliot welcomed new judge Christina Tosi to the series. After a nationwide search, 24 of the best junior home cooks in the country compete in Season 4. They face multiple challenges, including catering a party for more than 50 boys and girls, a tag-team challenge, a cupcake frosting face-off and the fan-favorite pop-up restaurant, until one talented kid is named America's next MASTERCHEF JUNIOR, taking home the $100,000 grand prize. In the premiere episode, 24 junior contestants enter the kitchen for the first time. Upon meeting the judges, they are tasked with preparing a signature burger and one side, using only ingredients in their first mystery box challenge. The winner of the challenge has a significant advantage and selects the main ingredient that the remaining contestants have to use in the season's first elimination round. The junior home cooks with the best dishes will advance in the competition.

Season 5 of MASTERCHEF JUNIOR premiered on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at 8pm ET/PT on FOX. After a nationwide search, 40 of the best junior home cooks between the ages of eight and thirteen have been chosen for their final test - a culinary battle in the MASTERCHEF JUNIOR kitchen in front of Chefs Gordon Ramsay and Christina Tosi. Only the 20 best chef-testants who prove they have the chops to take home the trophy move forward and earn a MASTERCHEF JUNIOR white apron. This season, the kids face exciting challenges, including completing a challenge from First Lady Michelle Obama; cooking a meal for more than 50 first responders; MASTERCHEF JUNIOR's first-ever vegan challenge, from guest judge Mayim Bialik; and cooking for other VIPs, including Julie Bowen and Muppets "Miss Piggy" and "Swedish Chef," until one talented kid is named America's next MASTERCHEF JUNIOR, taking home the MASTERCHEF JUNIOR trophy and $100,000 grand prize. In the season premiere episode, "The Quest for the Apron (Part 1)," 40 junior home cooks come to Los Angeles ready to compete for a MASTERCHEF JUNIOR apron. In each culinary showdown, four chefs receive a unique challenge -- from steak, to scallops to cupcakes. Two lucky winners from each group earn an apron and a chance to move on, while two head back home. The competition is tougher than ever as Gordon and Christina separate the best junior chefs from all the rest. All Top 20 contestants will be revealed in the following episode, "The Quest for the Apron (Part 2)," airing Thursday, February 16.

The sixth season of MASTERCHEF JUNIOR premieres on Friday, March 2 from 8-10pm ET/PT, featuring chefs Gordon Ramsay and Christina Tosi, as well as the return of judge Joe Bastianich. After a nationwide search, 40 of the best young home cooks between the ages of eight and thirteen have been given the chance to showcase their culinary abilities and passion for food through a series of delicious challenges in the MASTERCHEF JUNIOR kitchen. Only the best 12 female and 12 male junior chef-testants will move forward and earn a MASTERCHEF JUNIOR white apron. This season, the kids will face exciting challenges, including a mystery box challenge with 26 ingredients, each representing a different letter of the alphabet, and a test during which they'll cook a dish that represents their family heritage. Additionally, the young home cooks will prepare a meal for one lucky couple and their guests at their wedding reception, create the perfect chicken-and-waffle dish, compete in a Blue Apron mystery box challenge and power through the fan-favorite pop-up restaurant challenge, until one talented kid is named America's next MASTERCHEF JUNIOR, taking home the MASTERCHEF JUNIOR trophy and $100,000 grand prize. In the special, two-hour season premiere, "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun/The Boys Are Back In Town," 40 junior home cooks come to Los Angeles ready to compete for a for an apron. The junior home cooks are split up into two groups -- girls and boys. All 20 girls are tasked with making a flawless medium-rare filet mignon dish, while the boys must create the perfect chicken breast dish. Only 12 winners from each group will earn an apron and a chance to move on.

Season 7 of MASTERCHEF JUNIOR premiered on Tuesday, March 12, 2019 from 8-10pm ET/PT on FOX. Entering its seventh season, the series 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. Award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay and renowned pastry chef Christina Tosi are joined by celebrated chef and restaurateur Aaron Sanchez on the judges' panel. Season 7 showcases a mystery box challenge focusing on the most important meal of the day -- breakfast. Additionally, the young chef-testants attend and prepare a meal for 51 circus performers, create a restaurant-quality fish dish, compete to see which team can first roll out a perfect sheet of pasta to 24 feet and power through the fan-favorite restaurant takeover challenge, until one talented kid is named America's newest MasterChef Junior, taking home the MASTERCHEF JUNIOR trophy and $100,000 grand prize. In the two-hour season opener, "New Kids on the Block; Going Bananas," the Top 24 junior home cooks in America arrive in the MASTERCHEF kitchen and are immediately put to the test to prove they can master any challenge thrown their way -- from elevating classic breakfast and lunch dishes, to mystery box challenges, to making as many perfect banana splits as possible. These chef-testants begin to learn the importance of teamwork and speed in the kitchen, while facing two sets of eliminations.

Entering its eighth season, MASTERCHEF JUNIOR 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. The hit cooking competition series features chef Gordon Ramsay, chef Aaron Sanchez and new judge Daphne Oz. This season, the pint-sized contestants cook a meal for diners at a historical renaissance fair; see how they size up to monster trucks at a motocross track; welcome Gordon's daughter, Tilly Ramsay, back to the MASTERCHEF kitchen for a donut challenge; and participate in a WWE-themed episode until one talented kid is named America's newest MASTERCHEF JUNIOR, taking home the MASTERCHEF JUNIOR trophy and $100,000 grand prize. Season 8 of MASTERCHEF JUNIOR debuted on Thursday, March 17, 2022 at 8pm ET/PT on FOX.

Season 9 of MASTERCHEF JUNIOR debuted on Monday, March 4, 2024 at 8pm ET/PT on FOX. Judges and mentors Gordon Ramsay, Daphne Oz and Aaron Sanchez return alongside new judge Tilly Ramsay. Twelve young home chefs enter the kitchen to battle it out for the title of the next MasterChef Junior champion, taking home a trophy and $100,000 grand prize. For their first challenge, the junior chefs are each given an emoji cookie and have one hour to prepare a dish that represents the emotion behind it. The chef with the best dish will not only be safe from elimination but will also win a trip to Las Vegas. The 12 junior chefs competing this season include: Alfred (Age: 11; Hometown: Binford, ND); Asher (8; Yakima, WA); Bre (10; Burbank, CA); Bryson (11; Opelika, AL); Jason (9; San Gabriel, CA); Jordyn (8; Greensboro, NC); Kristell (10; Austin, TX); Lilo (9; Ann Arbor, MI); Lydia (9; Atlanta, GA); Michael (11; New Smyma, FL); Miles (10; College Station, TX); and Remy (10; Hollywood, FL).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On Monday, May 20, 2024 at 8pm ET/PT, FOX premiered "Finale (Part 2)," the Season 9 finale of MASTERCHEF JUNIOR. The three pint-sized finalists -- Bryson McGlynn, Michael Seegobin, and Remy Powell -- are one step away from winning the competition as they complete their main courses and whip up a stunning dessert. With a trophy, $100,000 grand prize and the title of MasterChef Junior champion on the line, the chefs have one final hour to showcase their culinary abilities and impress the judges.