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: NameAgeHometown 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 #1234567891011121314Quickfire Challenge Winner(s) Milo Jasmine Jasmine Milo Owen Henry Maxine Rahanna Milo Henry Rahanna Henry Milo Owen ContestantElimination Challenge Results1 OwenHIGHHIGH IN IN INLOWLOW INWINHIGHHIGH INWINWINNER2 RahannaWINHIGH INWINHIGHWIN IN INLOW INLOWSAVEDLOW3 Milo INHIGHLOW INLOWWINWINWINSAVEDLOWWINWINOUT4 HenryHIGHLOW INHIGHHIGH INHIGH INHIGHWINOUT5 Jasmine IN IN INSAVEDLOWHIGHHIGH INLOWOUT6 KenzieLOW INLOWHIGHWINHIGHLOWOUT7 Maxine IN INHIGHLOWLOWSAVEDOUT8 Fuller INWIN INLOWHIGHWDR9 AudreyHIGHLOWWIN INOUT10 Max INLOWOUT11 KatelynLOWOUT12 FernandoOUT : The chef(s) did not receive immunity for winning the Quickfire Challenge. : While Milo was chosen as the overall winner, both Rahanna and Jasmine were also awarded immunity for placing in the top of the Quickfire Challenge. : Fuller withdrew from the competition due to health concerns. (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 won the Elimination Challenge. (HIGH) The chef was selected as one of the top entries in the Elimination 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 chef was selected as one of the bottom entries in the Elimination Challenge but was not eliminated. (SAVED) The chef lost the Elimination Challenge but pulled a save card and continued in the competition. (OUT) The chef lost the Elimination Challenge and was eliminated. (WDR) The chef voluntarily withdrew from the competition.
Episodes 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 NameTeam MembersTaco TownKatelyn, Kenzie, Maxine, MiloGourmet Sandwich TruckFuller, Henry, OwenOh 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 BattleOrange TeamBlue TeamBitterOwenFullerSourAudrey KenzieSaltyMaxineMaxUmamiHenryRahannaSweetJasmineMilo 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 TeamTeam MembersRedFuller, Jasmine, MaxineBlueAudrey, Owen, MiloYellowKenzie, 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 RoundsTeam Bryan (Red)Team Michael (Blue)1: Soft-boiled EggAudreyFuller2: Filleted BranzioKenzieMaxine3: Medium Rare SteakHenryMilo4: Plated DessertRahannaJasmine 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 TeamTeam MembersRedRahanna & MiloBlueKenzie & JasmineYellowOwen & MaxineTealHenry & 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 TeamTeam MembersForage & Create (Blue)Henry & OwenSummer 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::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:
NameAgeHometown 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 Episode #1234567891011121314Quickfire Challenge Winner(s) Carson Kate Simon Nikki Nikki Londyn Rogers Nikki Rogers Eric Londyn Nikki ContestantElimination Challenge Results1 NikkiLOW INHIGH INWINLOWLOWHIGHLOWHIGHHIGHWINWINWINNER2 LondynLOWLOWWINLOW INHIGHHIGHLOWLOWWINLOWHIGH IN3 Rogers IN INLOWLOW INSAVEDHIGH INLOWHIGHLOWLOWOUT4 Noah INLOW IN IN INWINWINLOWHIGHSAVEDWINOUT5 EricWIN INHIGHHIGH INSAVEDLOW INWINLOWOUT6 Carson IN INLOW IN INHIGHHIGHWINOUT7 OliviaHIGHHIGH INWIN INWINLOWOUT8 SimonHIGHHIGH INHIGH INLOWOUT9 Ella INWIN IN INOUT10 Kate IN INSAVEDOUT11 SophieHIGHOUT12 TylerOUT : The chef(s) did not receive immunity for winning the Quickfire Challenge. : Kate was sick and did not participate in the Elimination Challenge. : While Nikki was chosen as the overall winner, Carson, Londyn, Olivia, and Rogers also received immunity for placing in the top of the Quickfire Challenge. : Two chefs were eliminated in this episode. (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 won the Elimination Challenge. (HIGH) The chef was selected as one of the top entries in the Elimination 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 chef was selected as one of the bottom entries in the Elimination Challenge but was not eliminated. (SAVED) The chef lost the Elimination Challenge but pulled a save card and continued in the competition. (OUT) The chef lost the Elimination Challenge and was eliminated.
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. Day 1: Cut up various food into appropriate pieces. (22 people participated in this round) Day 2: Create a dish that is worthy enough to enter the competition (16 people participated in this round)
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