Top Chef Junior

Top Chef Junior
Genre	Reality competition Cooking show
Presented by	Vanessa Lachey
Judges	Curtis Stone Gail Simmons Tiffany Derry Antonia Lofaso Graham Elliot
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of seasons	2
No. of episodes	29
Production
Executive producers	Dan Cutforth Casey Kriley
Production company	Magical Elves
Original release
Network	Universal Kids
Release	October 13, 2017 (2017-10-13) – December 1, 2018 (2018-12-01)
Related
Top Chef

Top Chef Junior is an American reality competition television series that serves as a spin-off of the popular Top Chef series. Ordered in 2008 for an eight-episode run on Bravo, ^{[1] [2]} the show had never aired, nor is it known if any episodes were produced at that time. However, nine years later, Top Chef Junior was mentioned as the marquee program for Universal Kids, an NBCUniversal-owned children's channel launched on September 9, 2017. ^[3] Season 1 consisted of 14 episodes and feature 12 young chefs, aged 9–14. The winner receives $50,000 and the title of Top Chef Junior. ^[4] The show is hosted by actress Vanessa Lachey, with Top Chef Masters and Top Chef Duels host Curtis Stone serving as its head judge. ^[4] Top Chef Junior premiered on October 13, 2017. ^[5] In November 2017 Top Chef Junior was renewed for a 2nd season, which premiered on September 8, 2018. It consists of 12 finalist chefs aged 9–14.

Season 1

Season 1 Contestants

Sources: ^{[6] [7] [8]}

Name	Age	Hometown
Audrey Brust	11	Zachary, LA
Fernando Valdés Nicholson	11	Elmhurst, IL
Fuller Goldsmith (†)	13	Tuscaloosa, AL
Henry Wieser	13	Naperville, IL
Jasmine Bell	13	Charlotte, NC
Katelyn Rickert	11	New Orleans, LA
Kenzie Mills	12	Midlothian, TX
Max Gerber	11	New York, NY
Maxine Sutton	13	Los Angeles, CA
Milo Fleming	13	St. Paul, MN
Owen Pereira	13	Baltimore, MD
Rahanna Martinez	13	Oakland, CA

Elimination table

Place	Contestant	Episode
		1		2		3 1		4		5 2		6 3		7		8 4			9		10 5		11		12		13		14
1	Owen	HIGH	HIGH	IN	HIGH	IN	WIN	HIGH	IN	WIN	IMM	HIGH	LOW	IN	LOW	HIGH	LOW	IN	HIGH	WIN	IN	WIN	IN	HIGH	IN	HIGH	WIN	WIN	WINNER
2	Rahanna	IN	WIN	IN	HIGH	HIGH	IN	IN	WIN	HIGH	HIGH	WIN	WIN	IMM	HIGH	HIGH	HIGH	HIGH	IN	HIGH	WIN	IMM	IN	LOW	IN	SAFE	IN	LOW	RUNNER-UP
3	Milo	WIN	IMM	HIGH	HIGH	HIGH	LOW	WIN	IN	HIGH	LOW	HIGH	WIN	HIGH	WIN	WIN	WIN	WIN	HIGH	SAFE	IN	LOW	IN	WIN	WIN	WIN	IN	OUT
4	Henry	HIGH	HIGH	IN	LOW	IN	WIN	HIGH	HIGH	HIGH	HIGH	WIN	IN	HIGH	IN	LOW	IN	HIGH	HIGH	IN	IN	WIN	IN	OUT
5	Jasmine	IN	IN	WIN	IMM	WIN	WIN	IN	SAFE	IN	LOW	HIGH	HIGH	IN	HIGH	IN	HIGH	IN	IN	LOW	HIGH	OUT
6	Kenzie	IN	LOW	HIGH	IN	IN	LOW	IN	HIGH	IN	WIN	HIGH	HIGH	IN	LOW	IN	LOW	OUT
7	Maxine	HIGH	IN	IN	IN	IN	HIGH	IN	LOW	IN	LOW	WIN	SAFE	HIGH	OUT
8	Fuller	IN	IN	HIGH	WIN	IN	IN	IN	LOW	HIGH	HIGH	N/A	WDR 6
9	Audrey	IN	HIGH	IN	LOW	IN	WIN	IN	IN	IN	OUT
10	Max	IN	IN	IN	LOW	IN	OUT
11	Katelyn	IN	LOW	IN	OUT
12	Fernando	HIGH	OUT

^Note 1 : The chefs were divided into two teams, with the challenge winner coming from the winning team, and the losing chef from the losing team.
^Note 2 : For winning the quickfire challenge, Owen did not participate in the elimination challenge.
^Note 3 : No immunity was awarded for this quickfire challenge.
^Note 4 : The top 3 in the quickfire challenge won immunity and participated in a separate challenge.
^Note 5 : This quickfire was the last one to award immunity to the winner.
^Note 6 : Chef was hospitalized and withdrew for health reasons.

  (WINNER) The chef won the season and was crowned "Top Chef Junior".

  (RUNNER-UP) The chef was a runner-up for the season.

  (WIN) The chef had the best dish in the Quick Fire Challenge, Team Challenge, or Elimination Challenge.

  (WIN) The cook was on the winning team in the Team Challenge

  (HIGH) The chef was selected as one of the top entries in the Elimination Challenge, Quick Fire Challenge, or Team Challenge but did not Win.

  (IN) The chef was not selected as one of the top or bottom entries in the Elimination Challenge and was safe.

  (LOW) The cook was one of the bottom entries in an elimination challenge, and advanced.

  (IN) The cook was not selected as a top or bottom entry in a Team Challenge.

  (IMM) The chef could not be sent home in the elimination challenge.

  (HIGH) The cook had one of the top dishes in an elimination challenge but did not win.

  (SAFE) Chef was eliminated but drew a safe card and was not eliminated.

  (OUT) The Chef was eliminated from the cooking competition. I

Episode 1: Dishing Up Dreams

Original airdate: October 13, 2017

• Quickfire Challenge: Transform your family favorite meal into a restaurant quality masterpiece
  • Winner: Milo
• Elimination Challenge: Create a dish that showcases your food dream
• Guest judge: Richard Blais
  • Winner: Rahanna
  • Out: Fernando

Episode 2: Food Truck Frenzy

Original airdate: October 20, 2017

• Quickfire Challenge: Highlight your cooking technique in a dished based on a memorable adventure
  • Winner: Jasmine
• Elimination Challenge: In less than 24 hours, open 3 food trucks to the public

Team Name	Team Members
Taco Town	Katelyn, Kenzie, Maxine, Milo
Gourmet Sandwich Truck	Fuller, Henry, Owen
Oh Crepe!	Audrey, Jasmine, Max, Rahanna

• Guest judge: Dave Danhi
  • Winner: Fuller
  • Out: Katelyn

Episode 3: Battle of the Buds

Original airdate: October 27, 2017

• Quickfire Challenge: Create an ice cream dessert
  • Winner: Jasmine
• Elimination Challenge: Create a dish highlighting one of the five tastes

Taste Battle	Orange Team	Blue Team
Bitter	Owen	Fuller
Sour	Audrey	Kenzie
Salty	Maxine	Max
Umami	Henry	Rahanna
Sweet	Jasmine	Milo

Battle winners in Bold

• Guest judge: Brooke Williamson
  • Winner: Audrey
  • Out: Max

Episode 4: Chef's Best Friend

Original airdate: November 3, 2017

• Quickfire Challenge: Make a gourmet dog treat
  • Winner: Milo
• Elimination Challenge: Create a cohesive meal using ingredients typically found in your refrigerators at home

Team	Team Members
Red	Fuller, Jasmine, Maxine
Blue	Audrey, Owen, Milo
Yellow	Kenzie, Henry, Rahanna

• Guest judge: Sherry Yard
  • Winner: Rahanna
  • Safe: Jasmine

Episode 5: Food Fight!

Original airdate: November 10, 2017

• Quickfire Challenge: Impress Bryan Voltaggio and Michael Voltaggio with your culinary skills
  • Winner: Owen
• Elimination Challenge: Four head-to-head 30 minute food fight rounds coached by Bryan and Michael Voltaggio

Battle Rounds	Team Bryan (Red)	Team Michael (Blue)
1: Soft-boiled Egg	Audrey	Fuller
2: Filleted Branzio	Kenzie	Maxine
3: Medium Rare Steak	Henry	Milo
4: Plated Dessert	Rahanna	Jasmine

Battle winners in Bold

• Guest judge: Tito Ortiz
  • Winner: Kenzie
  • Out: Audrey

Episode 6: It's No Cake Walk

Original airdate: November 17, 2017

• Quickfire Challenge: In pairs, using only one hand each, make a dozen cupcakes
  • Winner: Henry & Maxine
• Elimination Challenge: Bake a 14-inch extreme cake

Team	Team Members
Red	Rahanna & Milo
Blue	Kenzie & Jasmine
Yellow	Owen & Maxine
Teal	Henry & Fuller

• Guest judge: Joshua John Russell
  • Winner: Rahanna & Milo
  • Safe: Maxine
  • Withdraw: Fuller

Episode 7: Glow Big or Go Home

Original airdate: December 1, 2017

• Quickfire Challenge: Make a dish using a cut of beef selected from the "Beef or Buzzer" game board
  • Winner: Rahanna
• Elimination Challenge: Using at least one ingredient that glows, make a late night dish for Maisy Stella's Glow Party
• Guest judge: Casey Thompson
  • Winner: Milo
  • Out: Maxine

Episode 8: Field Day!

Original airdate: December 8, 2017

• Quickfire Challenge: Create an elevated nacho dish
  • Winner: Milo
    • The overall winner won a Buzzfeed Tasty Video prize. The top 3 in the quickfire challenges also won immunity.
• Elimination Challenge: (Top 3) Create a spin on burger & fries or (Bottom 3) BBQ plate with a side & sauce
• Guest judge: Nick Lachey
  • Winner: Milo
  • Out: Kenzie

Episode 9: Un-bee-lievable

Original airdate: December 15, 2017

• Quickfire Challenge: Make a dish highlighting honey
  • Winner: Henry
• Elimination Challenge: Create a kids' menu with an elevated entrée, side & dessert
• Guest judge: Emeril Lagasse
  • Winner: Owen
  • Safe: Milo

Episode 10: Restaurant Wars

Original airdate: January 5, 2018

• Quickfire Challenge: Create an amuse-bouche
  • Winner: Rahanna
• Elimination Challenge: Create and design 2 restaurants to open in 24 hours

Team	Team Members
Forage & Create (Blue)	Henry & Owen
Summer House (Orange)	Jasmine & Milo

• For winning the quickfire challenge, Rahanna was assigned to both teams
• Guest judge: Cat Cora
  • Winner: Henry
  • Out: Jasmine

Episode 11: The Claw

Original airdate: January 12, 2018

• Quickfire Challenge: Cook a lobster dish using the basic pantry or add ingredients from the claw game
  • Winner: Henry
• Elimination Challenge: Create an exotic surf & turf dish ( snake and crocodile food )
• as Henry wins, he is allowed to choose a protein and then no one is allowed to choose that protein
• Guest judge: Dave Salmoni
  • Winner: Milo
  • Out: Henry

Episode 12: Cooking for Treasure

Original airdate:

• Quickfire Challenge: "Keepin' Up With Curtis." Chefs are challenged to replicate Head Judge Curtis Stone's dish alongside him.
  • Winner: Milo
• Elimination Challenge: After a tiki-themed scavenger hunt at Universal Orlando Volcano Bay, create a Polynesian luau
• Guest judge: Roy Yamaguchi
  • Winner: Milo
  • Safe: Rahanna

Episode 13: Lemon Aid

Original airdate:

• Quickfire Challenge: At the Houdini Estate, chefs must unlock boxes to retrieve proteins.
  • Winner: Owen
• Elimination Challenge: As part of a fundraiser in connection with Alex's Lemonade Stand, chefs must prepare a dish featuring lemons.
• Guest judge: Susan Feniger
  • Winner: Owen
  • Out: Milo

Episode 14: You Are Top Chef Junior!

Original airdate:

• Quickfire Challenge: None
• Elimination Challenge: The chefs were asked to create a three-course meal representing their culinary past, present and future.
• Guest judges: Antonia Lofaso, Tiffany Derry
  • Winner: Owen
  • Runner Up: Rahanna

Season 2

Season 2 Contestants

Sources: ^{[6] [7]}

Name	Age	Hometown
Carson Peterson	13	Ventura, CA
Ella Bass	13	Berwyn, PA
Eric Martínez	10	Spring, Texas
Kate Daniel	12	Houston, TX
Londyn Green	11	Atlanta, GA
Nikki Bidun	11	New York, NY
Noah Cryns	11	Evanston, IL
Olivia Acosta	10	Long Valley, NJ
Rogers Mathews	13	Corona, CA
Simon Weisserman	12	Los Angeles, CA
Sophie Frankowski	13	New Orleans, LA
Tyler Cappelluti	13	South River, NJ

Elimination table

Place	Contestant	Episode
		1		2		3 1		4		5 2			6 1 3		7 4	8		9 1		10		11 1		12 4				13 1		14
1	Nikki	IN	LOW	IN	IN	HIGH	HIGH	WIN	IMM	HIGH	WIN	WIN 5	IN	LOW	IN	WIN	IMM	IN	LOW	IN	HIGH	HIGH	HIGH	WIN	IMM	WIN	IMM	WIN	WIN	WINNER
2	Londyn	IN	LOW	HIGH	LOW	IN	WIN	IN	LOW	WIN	HIGH	IMM	WIN	HIGH	WIN	IN	LOW	IN	LOW	IN	WIN	WIN	LOW	IMM	WIN	IN	IMM	IN	IN	RUNNER-UP
3	Rogers	HIGH	IN	IN	IN	IN	LOW	IN	LOW	HIGH	HIGH	IMM	WIN	SAFE	WIN	IN	IN	WIN	LOW	HIGH	HIGH	HIGH	LOW	LOW	IMM	IMM	LOW	IN	OUT
4	Noah	IN	IN	HIGH	LOW	IN	WIN	HIGH	IN	LOW	LOW	IN	IN	WIN	WIN	HIGH	LOW	IN	WIN	IN	SAFE	HIGH	WIN	IMM	LOW	IMM	OUT
5	Eric	HIGH	WIN	IN	IN	IN	HIGH	IN	HIGH	LOW	LOW	IN	IN	SAFE	IN	IN	IN	HIGH	WIN	WIN	LOW	HIGH	OUT
6	Carson	WIN	IMM	IN	IN	HIGH	LOW	IN	IN	HIGH	HIGH	IMM	IN	HIGH	WIN	IN	WIN	HIGH	OUT
7	Olivia	IN	HIGH	IN	HIGH	IN	WIN	IN	WIN	WIN	HIGH	IMM	HIGH	WIN	IN	IN	OUT
8	Simon	IN	IN	IN	HIGH	WIN	IN	HIGH	HIGH	WIN	LOW	IN	HIGH	LOW	OUT
9	Ella	IN	IN	IN	WIN	HIGH	IN	IN	IN	LOW	LOW	OUT
10	Kate	IN	IN	WIN	IMM 6	IN	SAFE	HIGH	OUT
11	Sophie	HIGH	HIGH	HIGH	OUT
12	Tyler	IN	OUT

^Note 1 : No immunity was awarded for this quickfire challenge.

^Note 2 : Before the quick-fire challenge a team challenge took place for advantages in the quick-fire. The best 5 dishes in the quickfire were awarded immunity while the worst 4 dishes were facing elimination in the next round.
^Note 3 : Two chefs were eliminated in the elimination challenge.

^Note 4 : There was no Quick-Fire in this Episode

^Note 5 : Chef had immunity

^Note 6 : Chef did not cook in this challenge due to strep throat

  (WINNER) The chef won the season and was crowned "Top Chef Junior".

  (RUNNER-UP) The chef was a runner-up for the season.

  (WIN) The chef had the best dish in the Quick Fire Challenge, Team Challenge, or Elimination Challenge.

  (WIN) The cook was on the winning team in the Team Challenge

  (HIGH) The chef was selected as one of the top entries in the Elimination Challenge, Quick Fire Challenge, or Team Challenge but did not Win.

  (IN) The chef was not selected as one of the top or bottom entries in the Elimination Challenge or Quick Fire Challenge and was safe.

  (LOW) The cook was one of the bottom entries in an Elimination challenge, Team challenge or Quick Fire and advanced.

  (IN) The cook was not selected as a top or bottom entry in a Team Challenge.

  (IMM) The chef could not be sent home in the elimination challenge .

  (HIGH) The cook had one of the top dishes in an elimination challenge but did not win.

  (SAFE) The chef was eliminated but drew a safe card and continued on in the competition.

  (OUT) The chef was eliminated from the competition.

Episodes

Episode 0: Making the Cut

Original airdate: August 4, 2018

At boot camp, 22 talented young chefs compete for their chance to make the cast of the second season of the series.

Episode 1: Stirring Up a Celebration

Original airdate: September 8, 2018

• Quickfire Challenge: After making it through boot camp, the 12 junior chefs joined Vanessa and Curtis for a small celebration with a large spread of snacks and hors d'oeuvres. Following the celebration, the junior chefs were told that their first quickfire challenge was to create an amuse-bouche in 30 minutes using the leftover ingredients from the party. The winner received immunity from elimination.
  • Winner: Carson
• Elimination Challenge: The junior chefs were challenged to create a signature winning dish for the first Top Chef Junior Food Festival.
• Guest Judge: Richard Blais
  • Winner: Eric
  • Eliminated: Tyler

Episode 2: Sunny Side Up

Original airdate: September 15, 2018

• Quickfire Challenge: The junior chefs were challenged to create a unique ramen dish in 20 minutes. The winner received immunity from elimination.
  • Winner: Kate
• Elimination Challenge: The judges surprised the junior chefs early in the morning at their rooms with the challenge of creating a delicious brunch dish. The junior chefs had a limited pantry of the ingredients brought to them by the judges and were only able to use the equipment found in their rooms.
  • Winner: Ella
  • Eliminated: Sophie

Episode 3: Rolling In Dough

Original airdate: September 22, 2018

• Quickfire Challenge: The junior chefs were challenged to create a unique pizza. However, the junior chefs had to play the arcade game Alley Roller in order to get tickets to buy additional ingredients (only simple dough, plain tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese were available by default). Additionally, tickets could be used to purchase kitchen equipment that the junior chefs could take home with them after the Top Chef Junior competition.
  • Winner: Simon
• Elimination Challenge: The chefs were divided into two teams: the yellow team and the blue team. For their challenge, the junior chefs competed in a series of head-to-head battles where each pair of chefs (one from the yellow team and one from the blue team) had to create a kid-friendly dish highlighting a specific ingredient. In each battle, the panel of judges and kid tasters would vote for their favorite dish; the chef with the most votes scored a point for their team. The team that earned three points first won the overall challenge. The winners of each head-to-head battle are indicated below in bold.
• Yellow Team: Rogers, Carson, Ella, Simon, Kate
• Blue Team: Noah, Nikki, Olivia, Eric, Londyn
  • Round 1 (Olives): Kate vs Nikki
  • Round 2 (Broccoli): Rogers vs Eric
  • Round 3 (Brussels Sprouts): Ella vs Noah
  • Round 4 (Salmon): Simon vs Olivia
  • Round 5 (Beets): Carson vs Londyn
    • Winning Team: Blue Team
    • Winner: Londyn
    • Saved: Kate

Episode 4: Sweet Dreams Come True

Original Airdate: September 29, 2018

• Quickfire Challenge: Prior to the competition, the junior chefs were all asked what dream ingredient they would love to work with. For this challenge, those dream ingredients were provided for them and each chef had to create a winning dish highlighting their choice. The winner received immunity from elimination.
  • Winner: Nikki
• Elimination Challenge: The junior chefs were challenged to create a sweet dessert for an event raising awareness for the charity Adopt Together.
• Guest Judge: Candace Nelson
  • Winner: Olivia
  • Eliminated: Kate

Episode 5: Field Day!

Original Airdate: October 6, 2018

Guest Judge: Reggie Bush

Chefs participate in teams in three rounds

• Red Team: Eric, Ella, Noah
• Yellow Team: Carson, Rogers, Nikki
• Blue Team: Londyn, Olivia, Simon
• Round 1: Obstacle Course: The team must wear foam skis, walk together to three obstacles
  1. Bobbing for Tomatoes, 3 tomatoes per chef per team
  2. Spiralize 6 onions
  3. Fruit Stand Ball Pit, one member at a time per team must find a watermelon, cantaloupe, grapefruit, green apple, lemon, and orange.
  4. Dunk Tank: Throw a football to dunk Curtis Stone in the Dunk Tank.

The first two teams to finish win a significant advantage in the Gameday Quickfire Challenge.

• Winners: Blue and Yellow Teams
• Round 2: Quickfire Challenge: Create the perfect sandwich. Chefs have 25 minutes to cook. This is an individual challenge with the top 5 Chefs receiving immunity in the Elimination Challenge.
  • Blue team received an extra 10 minutes to cook and first choice of the limited pantry ingredients as their advantages
  • Yellow team received an extra 5 minutes to cook and second choice of pantry ingredients.
  • Winners: Rogers, Londyn, Olivia, Carson, and Nikki (overall winner, received a Football autographed by Reggie Bush)
• Round 3: Elimination Challenge: Wings and Sausage Challenge
  • Top Team: Wings and a Dipping Sauce in 45 minutes
  • Winner: Nikki who received a Top Chef Jr. Football Helmet signed by Reggie Bush
  • Bottom Team: Sausages in 90 minutes
  • Eliminated: Ella

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Nominee	Result	Ref.
2019	NAACP Image Awards	Outstanding Children's Program	Top Chef Junior	Nominated
2019	Daytime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Children's or Family Viewing Series	Top Chef Junior	Nominated	[9]
2019	Daytime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Multiple Camera Editing	Top Chef Junior	Nominated	[10]

References

1. Rocchio, Christopher; Rogers, Steve (June 11, 2008). "Bravo developing 'Top Chef Junior' spinoff for young teenage chefs". Reality TV World. Retrieved September 20, 2010.
2. Levine, Stuart (June 11, 2008). "Bravo order chef shows". Variety . Retrieved March 23, 2016.
3. Barnes, Brooke (April 30, 2017). "NBCUniversal Is Building Its Own Children's Channel". The New York Times . Retrieved April 30, 2017.
4. Mizoguchi, Karen (May 12, 2017). "Vanessa Lachey and Curtis Stone Join Top Chef Junior as Host and Head Judge". People . Retrieved May 13, 2017.
5. Kinane, Ruth (September 14, 2017). "Top Chef Jr. competition heats up in kitchen boot camp sneak peek". Entertainment Weekly (with video, 4 mins 24 secs). Retrieved October 10, 2017.
6. "Series: 12 Contestants Here to Chef". Universal Kids (video, app required). Archived from the original on December 17, 2017.
7. Cohn, Paulette (2017-10-04). "Meet the Cute Kid Cooks Competing on Top Chef Jr.". Parade magazine . Retrieved 2021-11-13.
8. katiefw (September 14, 2017). "Meet the 12 Contestants Vying to Be Top Chef Jr.". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
9. "Nominees, Daytime Emmy Awards (Children's/Animated)". The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. 2019. Archived from the original on October 20, 2019.
10. "Nominees, Daytime Emmy Awards (Craft – Non-Drama)". The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. 2019. Archived from the original on October 20, 2019.

External links

• Official Website