Junior MasterChef Australia
Junior MasterChef Australia is an Australian competitive cooking game show. It is a spin-off of MasterChef Australia, itself an adaptation of the British show MasterChef, and features contestants aged 8 to 12. The first season of the show began production in July 2010 and included 50 contestants. Over 5,000 children from around the nation auditioned for the series. Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris returned alongside Anna Gare, while Matt Moran replaced Matt Preston as a judge. Callum Hann has also been involved in the series. In contrast to prior series, Junior MasterChef Australia is produced by Shine Australia. The promo was seen during the final episode of MasterChef Australia. The series premiered on Sunday, 12 September 2010.
Overview
Junior MasterChef Australia is an Australian competitive cooking game show. It is a spin-off of MasterChef Australia, itself an adaptation of the British show MasterChef, and features contestants aged 8 to 12. The first season of the show began production in July 2010 and included 50 contestants. Over 5,000 children from around the nation auditioned for the series. Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris returned alongside Anna Gare, while Matt Moran replaced Matt Preston as a judge. Callum Hann has also been involved in the series. In contrast to prior series, Junior MasterChef Australia is produced by Shine Australia. The promo was seen during the final episode of MasterChef Australia. The series premiered on Sunday, 12 September 2010.
Tara McWilliams
Producer
Episodes
1. Top 20 Part 1
The show started with 50 very excited children. After high-fiving the Judges, the Junior MasterChefs were divided into five groups of 10. Each group would do a 45-minute cooking challenge where the four best dishes would get through. The first group had an International theme where Tayla, Nick and sisters – Isabella and Sofia got through. The second group had to make a dessert with the Judges deciding Lucy, Clarrie, Sam and Ashley would make it through.
2. Top 20 Part 2
The final spots for the Top 20 were up for grabs with 3 final heats. A seafood challenge saw a surprise appearance and solo judgement by Matt Preston, who put through Alex, Ainsleigh, Sophie J and Sophie M. The next heat pitted the youngest kids against each other. Making it through were Siena, Anthony, Nicholas and Te Ani. The final heat had George decked out in his best butcher gear for a meat challenge, with the final 4 spots of the Top 20 filled by Jack, Pierre, Emily and Cassidy.
3. Top 12
It’s a big day with the Top 20 cooking for a place in the Top 12. The first round is an Invention Test which involves chicken and vegies. The next round is a Pressure Test with MasterChef Finalist Callum providing the dish they must cook. In the end it’s Sam, Isabella, Sophia, Nick, Alex, Jack, Siena, Lucy, Cassidy, Emily, Anthony and Pierre who are chosen for the Junior MasterChef Top 12.
Cast & Crew
Jock Zonfrillo
Melissa Leong
Andy Allen
