Top Chef Junior
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, 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. 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. The show is hosted by actress Vanessa Lachey, with Top Chef Masters and Top Chef Duels host Curtis Stone serving as its head judge. Top Chef Junior premiered on October 13, 2017. 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:| 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
Episode 1: Dishing Up Dreams
Original airdate: October 13, 2017Quickfire Challenge: Transform your family favorite meal into a restaurant quality masterpiece- * Winner: MiloElimination 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, 2017Quickfire Challenge: Highlight your cooking technique in a dished based on a memorable adventure- * Winner: JasmineElimination 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, 2017Quickfire Challenge: Create an ice cream dessert- * Winner: JasmineElimination 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, 2017Quickfire Challenge: Make a gourmet dog treat- * Winner: MiloElimination 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, 2017Quickfire Challenge: Impress Bryan Voltaggio and Michael Voltaggio with your culinary skills- * Winner: OwenElimination Challenge: Four head-to-head 30 minute food fight rounds coached by Bryan and Michael Voltaggio
| Battle Rounds | Team Bryan | Team Michael |
| 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, 2017Quickfire Challenge: In pairs, using only one hand each, make a dozen cupcakes- * Winner: Henry & MaxineElimination 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, 2017Quickfire Challenge: Make a dish using a cut of beef selected from the "Beef or Buzzer" game board- * Winner: RahannaElimination 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, 2017Quickfire 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: Create a spin on burger & fries or BBQ plate with a side & sauce
- Guest judge: Nick Lachey
- * Winner: Milo
- * Out: Kenzie
Episode 9: Un-bee-lievable
Original airdate: December 15, 2017Quickfire Challenge: Make a dish highlighting honey- * Winner: HenryElimination 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, 2018Quickfire Challenge: Create an amuse-bouche- * Winner: RahannaElimination Challenge: Create and design 2 restaurants to open in 24 hours
| Team | Team Members |
| Forage & Create | Henry & Owen |
| Summer House | 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, 2018Quickfire Challenge: Cook a lobster dish using the basic pantry or add ingredients from the claw game- * Winner: HenryElimination Challenge: Create an exotic surf & turf dish
- 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::January 19, 2018- 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::January 26, 2018- 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::February 2, 2018- 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:| 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
Episodes
Episode 0: Making the CutOriginal 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.
- Day 1: Cut up various food into appropriate pieces.
- Day 2: Create a dish that is worthy enough to enter the competition
Episode 1: Stirring Up a Celebration
Original airdate: September 8, 2018Quickfire 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: CarsonElimination 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, 2018Quickfire Challenge: The junior chefs were challenged to create a unique ramen dish in 20 minutes. The winner received immunity from elimination.- * Winner: KateElimination 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. 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: SimonElimination 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 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 : Kate vs Nikki
- * Round 2 : Rogers vs Eric
- * Round 3 : Ella vs Noah
- * Round 4 : Simon vs Olivia
- * Round 5 : Carson vs Londyn
- ** Winning Team: Blue Team
- ** Winner: Londyn
- ** Saved: Kate
Episode 4: Sweet Dreams Come True
Original Airdate: September 29, 2018Quickfire 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: NikkiElimination 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, 2018Guest Judge: Reggie Bush
Chefs participate in teams in three rounds
- Red Team: Eric, Ella, Noah
- Yellow Team: Carson, Rogers, Nikki
- Blue Team: Londyn, Olivia, SimonRound 1: Obstacle Course: The team must wear foam skis, walk together to three obstacles
- # Bobbing for Tomatoes, 3 tomatoes per chef per team
- # Spiralize 6 onions
- # Fruit Stand Ball Pit, one member at a time per team must find a watermelon, cantaloupe, grapefruit, green apple, lemon, and orange.
- # Dunk Tank: Throw a football to dunk Curtis Stone in the Dunk Tank.
- Winners: Blue and Yellow TeamsRound 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 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
Episode 6:Easy as Pie
Original Airdate: October 13, 2018- Quickfire Challenge Create your best pie dish while only using 1 hand.
| Team | Team Members |
| Gray | Olivia & Simon |
| Pink | Londyn & Rogers |
| Yellow | Noah & Eric |
| Orange | Carson & Nikki |
- Winner: Londyn and Rogers
- Elimination Challenge:Create a unique dish by having as few waste as possible.
| Team | Team Members |
| Black | Nikki & Simon |
| Red | Londyn & Carson |
| Green | Noah & Olivia |
| Blue | Eric & Rogers |
- Guest Judge:Graham Elliot
- *Winner:Noah & Olivia
- *Saved:Eric & Rogers
Episode 7:Restaurant Wars
Original Airdate: October 20, 2018- Elimination Challenge:Create and design 2 restaurants to open in 24 hours.
| Team | Team Members |
| Bleu | Simon & Olivia & Nikki & Eric |
| Awaking Restaurant | Carson & Noah & Londyn & Rogers |
- For Winning the previous team challenge, Noah and Olivia were chosen as Team captains for this challenge, Noah then selected Londyn as his assistant and Olivia selected Nikki as her assistant, the remaining chefs were drawn from a container of spoons.
- Guest Judge: Joe Flamm
- *Winner:Noah
- *Eliminated:Simon
Episode 8:Thriller Bite
Original Airdate: October 27, 2018- Quickfire Challenge:Create a 5 star dish using 3 items from the conveyor belt.
- Winner:Nikki
- Elimination Challenge:Create a gruesome dish highlighting a cut of steak.
- Guest Judge:Richard Blais
- *Winner:Carson
- *Eliminated:Olivia
Episode 9:Food Truck Battle
Original Airdate: November 3, 2018- Quickfire Challenge:Create the best Burger and Fries alongside a sauce inspired by Season 1 chef Fuller.
- *Winner:Rogers
- Elimination Challenge: In less than 24 hours, open 3 food trucks to the public.
| Team Name | Team Members |
| Take Me Tacos | Londyn & Rogers |
| Panini Perfection | Noah & Eric |
| Waffles Galore | Nikki & Carson |
- Guest Judge: Gail Simmons
- *Winner:Eric
- *Eliminated:Carson
Episode 10:Wild Cuisine
Original Airdate: November 10, 2018- Quickfire Challenge:Create the best dish using the mystery box created by their parents.
- Winner:Eric
- Elimination Challenge:Create a dish from the animal you selected from its home region.
- Guest Judge:Jeff Corwin
- *Winner:Londyn
- *Saved:Noah
Episode 11:Fantastic Feasts of Fowl
Original Airdate: November 17, 2018- Quickfire Challenge:Chefs are challenged to replicate Head Judge Curtis Stone's dish alongside him.
- Winner:Londyn
- Elimination Challenge:Create a feast featuring a Gainburg and a side, inspired by the wizards of Harry Potter.
- Guest Judge:Tim Love
- *Winner:Noah
- *Eliminated:Eric
Episode 12:Food Fight
Original Airdate: November 24, 2018- Elimination Challenge: Four head-to-head 30 minutes food fight rounds featuring a spicy pepper.
- Guest Judge:Art Smith
- Round 1 Opening Round :Nikki vs Rogers
- *Winner:Nikki
- Round 2 Opening Round : Londyn vs Noah
- *Winner:Londyn
- Round 3 Championship Challenge : Nikki vs Londyn
- *Winner:Nikki
- Round 4 Elimination Challenge :Noah vs Rogers
- *Eliminated:Noah
Episode 13:Big Catch
Original Airdate: November 25, 2018- Quickfire Challenge:Chefs have 1 hour to escape the Rec Room using clues found in the Rec room, once escaped and into the kitchen, use the remaining time to cook a seashell dish.
- *Winner:Nikki
- Elimination Challenge:Create a fish dish using the fish they caught that morning, to present to a group of people at the fish festival.
- Guest Judge: Lorena Garcia
- *Winner:Nikki
- *Eliminated:Rogers
Episode 14:Finale, Meal of a Lifetime
Original Airdate: December 1, 2018- Elimination Challenge:The chefs were asked to create a three-course meal representing dishes inspired by their family, friends and their future journeys.
- Guest Judge:Emeril Lagasse
- *Winner:Nikki
- *Runner Up:Londyn