Sure, cooking shows are everywhere nowadays. This is especially true for cooking competition shows that feature home cooks or professional chefs. However, not many shows feature pint-sized cooks who make the most incredible hot meals, pastries, and desserts. And when it comes to this type of show, Fox’s "MasterChef Junior" truly stands out.
Since the show started airing in 2013, it’s gone on to air seven seasons that featured young home cooks ages 8 to 13. Throughout the episodes, we see them showcase their culinary skills and produce dishes that impress the likes of Wolfgang Puck and Martha Stewart.
And while we wait for the show’s upcoming season, we thought it would be fun to spill some tidbits about the show that you never knew before:
15 The Show Usually Provides The Kids With Their On-Screen Wardrobes
Sisitsky revealed, “They told us to pack for 8 weeks! They gave us an idea of what kind of clothes to bring. I borrowed some of the clothes from my friend’s son. In the end, they provided most of his wardrobe except for the green shirt he wore in the first episode and his shoes.”
14 The Most Common Mistake Children Make Is Underestimating Cook Times
Sanchez pointed out, “I think the biggest thing is underestimating how long things take to cook. Chicken, for instance, would be a big one, and pork chops. Then another big issue is the seasoning. You know, when is there enough salt? When should you back off on the spices? But that is really something that just takes experience.”
13 When The Kids Are Not On Camera, They Go To School
Sanchez confirmed, “We have them for three months or two and a half months, so they still have to go to school. So every time they’re not on camera, they’re hitting the books. They’re continuing to be little people continuing with their education. They’re getting the traditional education, the academics, and then they’re getting the food education with us.”
12 The Judges And Crew Help Children Process Stressful Situations While Taping
Christina Tosi, who had joined the show as a judge, explained, “It’s important that the kids learn how to deal with stress and disappointment, and our job is to push them in that regard. But it’s also important they learn to recover from it, and we have a responsibility to that, too.”
11 Production Assistants May Sneak In Tools That The Kids Need During The Competition
A firsthand account from Entertainment Weekly revealed, “There were production assistants ready to sneak in boiling water if requested, or necessary tools that might be missing from each station. This happened maybe twice. ‘I’m going in,’ said one such PA to a camera operator, crouching low so as not to be seen and awkwardly hustling a steaming pot to Kya.”
10 Joe Bastianich Left The Show Because He Couldn’t Commit Enough Of His Time
Executive producer Robin Ashbrook explained, “We came to the decision together that with the amount of focus and energy needed to be on this show, it was best for both parties to make Season 5 of the main show and Season 3 of MasterChef Junior the last that we do with Joe.”
9 Michelle Obama Became Involved With The Show After Meeting Robin Ashbrook At A New York Event
Ashbrook explained, “It was a natural progression of our relationship, that we would be the platform that would make absolute sense for the former first lady to deliver that message to as many families as possible. So we worked together with the White House during that time to put that challenge together.”
8 Julie Bowen Immediately Said Yes When She Was Invited To Appear On The Show
Ashbrook recalled, “So we approached Julie to see if she was interested. She said yes immediately.” She added that the actress “came at it really as a point of just celebrating the relationship between mums, families, kids, and food, and she was blown away by what some of the kids delivered.”
7 Production Is Strictly Limited To Four Hours A Day
Ashbrook revealed, “For us, production-wise, it was a challenge because we usually film on the grown ‘MasterChef’ a 12-hour day. With these guys, depending on which day of the week, and their age, the limit is just four hours a day. When those four hours are up, those four hours are up. We literally had to stop filming.”
6 There Are Always Parents And Chaperones Nearby
Ashbrook confirmed, “There was always a chaperone and it was almost always a parent. They were at all times able to see what was going on in the kitchen. All of the parents actually sat together and watched what happened. They really bonded. It certainly wasn’t a ‘Dance Moms’ atmosphere.”
5 Contestants On MasterChef Junior Cut Themselves Far Less Than Adult Contestants
Sandee Birdsong, who serves as a culinary producer on the show, revealed, “These kids were so amazing that they ... you know, they didn't cut themselves. They cut themselves far less than the adults did. Just watching them take on this task was amazing, and they took it on better than most adults do. “
4 MasterChef Junior Winners Have To Keep Their Win A Secret For Nearly A Year
Che Spiotta, who won during the seventh season, said, “It has been really, really hard. I have kept the secret for about a year. It has been ridiculous to keep it a secret from all my friends. It was hard but I’ve gotten used to it. Now, I am so excited that it isn’t a secret any more [sic].”
3 Two Judges Evaluate Applicants During The Show’s Open Call Auditions
Casting Director Gina Gonzalez explained, “We have two judges there that are actually professional chefs. They are there observing the kids. The kids are given some pretty basic cooking tasks to start. They might measure some water or cook an egg or chop something. The judges are just observing them to see how comfortable they are in the kitchen.”
2 Sometimes, Former Contestants Drop By The Auditions And Greet Fans
Sanchez revealed, “We just had our New Orleans casting call and Avery — who was the runner up last season — was there. And Ian from last season was in Chicago. Kya is going to be in LA as well as a few others. They come out and say “hi” and take picture. The applicants get very excited.”
1 The Contestants Tend To Stay In The Same Hotel And They Hang Out Together A Lot
Aviva Sisitsky, who is mother to former contestant Kyle, told Suburbs 101, “Since everybody stayed in the same hotel, the kids swam in the pool and had a chance to bond. Sundays were dark days. We all hung out together on those days and went on excursions to Malibu, Santa Monica pier, an aquarium. The kids had a great time.”