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| Masterchef Junior contestant Ben Photo Credit: FOX |
Gordon Ramsay has another challenge on his hands when Twenty-four young chef-testants – 12 girls and 12 boys will compete on the next season of “MasterChef Junior.” Judges Ramsay, Christina Tosi and Joe Bastianich chose the Top 24 from among 40 talented junior home cooks, and one of these kids will be named America’s next “Masterchef Junior,” taking home the MASTERCHEF JUNIOR trophy and a $100,000 grand prize.
In this week’s all-new episode, “Culinary ABC’s,” airing Friday, March 9 (8:00 p.m. ET/PT) on FOX, the Top 24 face their first mystery box challenge of the season, during which they must cook dishes using ingredients that start with each letter of the alphabet.
The winner receives a huge advantage in the elimination challenge. Later in the “Masterchef Junior” episode, the contestants must prove their technical skills as they are tasked with crafting a French classic – fruit tart.
Meet the “Masterchef Junior” Top 24 and find out their signature dishes:
Anthony Age: 10
Hometown: Old Bridge, NJ
Signature Dish: Veal Meatballs with Homemade Spaghetti and Italian Tomato Sauce
Ariana
Age: 12
Hometown: Excelsior, MN
Signature Dish: Kalbi Short Ribs
Avery
Age: 8
Hometown: Kingwood, TX
Signature Dish: Asiago Meatballs with Spinach Pasta
Ben
Age: 10
Hometown: Gary, IN
Signature Dish: Fried Chicken with Mashed Potatoes
Beni
Age: 9
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Signature Dish: Garlic-Lime Chicken with Mixed Barley with Cilantro-Lime Dressing
Cade
Age: 11
Hometown: Hattiesburg, MS
Signature Dish: Blackened Catfish with Praline Sauce
Camson
Age: 13
Hometown: Fleming Island, FL
Signature Dish: Medium-Rare Sirloin Steak with Asparagus and Mashed Potatoes
Emily
Age: 9
Hometown: Sylmar, CA
Signature Dish: Tamales with Homemade Red Sauce
Evan
Age: 11
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Signature Dish: Baked Lemon-Cumin Chicken Breast with Balsamic Glaze
Gracie
Age: 9
Hometown: Cardiff by the Sea, CA
Signature Dish: Dijon Scallops with Lemon-Zested Spinach
Grayson
Age: 11
Hometown: St. Francisville, LA
Signature Dish: Jambalaya
Henry
Age: 9
Hometown: Katy, TX
Signature Dish: Grilled-Shrimp-and-Cream-Cheese-Stuffed Jalapenos Wrapped in Bacon
Juelz
Age: 8
Hometown: St.Louis, MO
Signature Dish: Cheese-Stuffed Turkey Burgers with Onions, Lettuce and Avocado
Lindsay
Age: 10
Hometown: Elk Rapids, MI
Signature Dish: Homemade Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Sautéed Leeks, Shiitake Mushrooms and Garlic Butter
Mackenzie
Age: 9
Hometown: Newhall, CA
Signature Dish: Cheddar Cheese Garlic Burger with Homemade French Fries
Maria
Age: 8
Hometown: Northridge, CA
Signature Dish: Pork Chops with Tostones (Fried Plantains), Rice and Beans
Mikey
Age: 10
Hometown: Clarendon Hills, IL
Signature Dish: Garlic Shrimp Linguine with Butter and Olive Oil Sauce
Olivia
Age: 10
Hometown: New York, NY
Signature Dish: Pork Chop with Chutney
Pierce
Age: 10
Hometown: Oak Park, IL
Signature Dish: Homemade Rosemary Biscuits and Sausage Gravy
Quani
Age: 11
Hometown: Lawrenceville, GA
Signature Dish: Homemade Fettuccine with Meat Sauce
Remy
Age: 12
Hometown: New York, NY
Signature Dish: Shrimp Scampi in Curry Sauce
Sammy
Age: 12
Hometown: Huntington Woods, MI
Signature Dish: Mascarpone-Stuffed Chicken
Sophia
Age: 12
Hometown: Honolulu, HI
Signature Dish: Macadamia-Crusted Fish with Grilled Pineapple
Zia
Age: 9
Hometown: Pasadena, CA
Signature Dish: Spaghetti Bolognese
