Watch Chopped Junior

Chopped Junior is a spin-off of the popular cooking competition show Chopped, aimed specifically at young chefs between the ages of nine and fourteen. The show premiered on Food Network in 2015 and quickly became a hit, showcasing the talents of some of the most talented young cooks in the country.

Hosted by Ted Allen, Chopped Junior features a panel of judges including Marc Murphy and Amanda Freitag. Each episode of the show features four young chefs competing against each other in three rounds, with the winner taking home a $10,000 cash prize.

The first round of the competition is called the appetizer round, during which the contestants are given a mystery basket of ingredients and have a limited amount of time to create a dish that meets the judges' criteria. The dishes are tasted and judged, and the chef with the weakest dish is eliminated. The remaining contestants move on to the second round, known as the entree round.

In the entree round, the chefs are once again given a mystery basket of ingredients and must create an original dish that meets the judges' standards. This round is often more challenging than the first, as the ingredients in the basket may be more difficult to work with or require more advanced culinary skills. Once again, the dishes are evaluated and the weakest chef is eliminated, leaving only two competitors in the final round.

The final round of the competition is the dessert round, during which the two remaining chefs are given a final mystery basket of ingredients and are tasked with creating a dessert that not only tastes delicious but also looks impressive. The judges taste and evaluate the dishes, ultimately choosing the winner of the competition based on the overall quality of their dishes throughout all three rounds.

One of the unique aspects of Chopped Junior is that it allows young chefs to showcase their culinary skills in a competitive environment. The show emphasizes creativity, innovation, and resourcefulness, challenging the chefs to use their knowledge of cooking techniques and flavors to create dishes that stand out from the rest.

Another important aspect of the show is the mentorship provided by the judges. Throughout the competition, the judges offer guidance and advice to the young chefs, helping them to improve their dishes and overcome any obstacles they may encounter. This mentorship extends beyond the competition itself, as many of the young chefs who have competed on Chopped Junior have gone on to pursue careers in the culinary arts.

Overall, Chopped Junior is a fun, exciting, and inspiring cooking competition that showcases the talents of some of the most talented young chefs in the country. Whether you're a fan of cooking shows or simply enjoy watching talented young people excel in their fields, Chopped Junior is definitely worth checking out.

Chopped Junior is a series that ran for 9 seasons (95 episodes) between October 27, 2015 and on Food Network