Full of energy and precocious abilities, four aspiring chefs take over the Chopped Kitchen and face a judging panel featuring actor Billy Gardell and The Kitchen's Marcela Valladolid and Geoffrey Zakarian. In the first round, they must tame the sweetness of some basket items. Pizza is a fine surprise in the entree round, but lamb loins stump some of the young competitors. Then, lemon curd and a fun retro candy get a spin for dessert.
Another astonishingly talented group of junior chefs is sure to make life difficult on the judges: Food Network's Valerie Bertinelli and chefs Sharone Hakman and Marcus Samuelsson. The young cooks must contend with strange bagels and a strong paste in the appetizer round, and an injury throws one competitor off their game. In the entree round, there are fresh pasta sheets, and for dessert, marshmallows make a gooey statement.
Bright new faces of the culinary world give it their all in this Chopped competition for young cooks! To win, they must impress the judges, actress Elizabeth Chambers and chefs Amanda Freitag and Lee Anne Wong. The appetizer basket includes beet hummus and head-on shrimp, then in the entree round, a giant milkshake has all the kids amped up. Those who advance to the final round create fruit and yogurt desserts.
Four new junior chefs are presented with the challenge of making a perfect Thanksgiving meal for the judges, including special guest Martha Stewart and Food Network's Chris Santos and Geoffrey Zakarian. First, they must make creative appetizers using spiral ham, and in round two, they have to prepare entrees using three different turkey parts. Pumpkin spice lattes in the final basket get the kids excited for dessert, where they race to claim the ice cream machine!
The four junior chefs in this competition can't be kept out of the kitchen, and they're here to prove themselves to the judges: chef Tino Feliciano, former White House chef Sam Kass and Food Network's Marc Murphy. In the first round, they must masterfully transform strange fungi and frozen treats, and their faces say it all when tasting unappealing entree basket ingredients. For dessert, incorporating French fries proves to be a challenge.
Four new junior chefs arrive in the kitchen to show they're already cooking like pros, and chefs Scott Conant and Madison Cowan are joined by actress Mila Kunis to judge the competition. In the first round, the young chefs receive both yummy and yucky ingredients for appetizers, then aim for a perfect salmon dish in the entree round. For dessert, they must transform an iconic cake into something new and delicious
Four new junior chefs get into the spirit of the season as they create a feast for the judges, former White House chef Sam Kass, Food Network's Marc Murphy, and Martha Stewart! In the appetizer round, the walls of gingerbread houses come down, and for entrees, the young cooks must make sweet ingredients work with leg of lamb. Finally, everyone is happy to see snowmen made of doughnuts in the dessert basket.
A new group of junior chefs brings their enthusiasm to the Chopped Kitchen and seeks approval from the judges: model Camila Alves and chefs Michelle Bernstein and Scott Conant. They find shellfish and a dried seafood snack in the appetizer basket, but tears come when one competitor hears "time's up." In the entree round, there's cereal and a beautiful cut of meat, but using a pre-baked cake inventively in dessert is a big challenge.
Four junior chefs with an appetite for long-term success square off in front of a special panel of judges, including former professional boxer Laila Ali and chefs Marc Murphy and Sam Talbot. The appetizer basket includes a creepy-crawly snack and fried onions, and a canned product is met with disdain in the entree round. Finally, they must balance several super-sweet items in their desserts.
Twin sisters are among the competitors. Included: Cookies and veggies are mandatory ingredients in the first round; a beautiful birthday cake takes the young chefs by surprise when cooking entrées; and salty and sweet are the flavors found in the dessert basket.
Young chefs create appetizers with a classic kid food and some unusual chips. Later, they are given a sour basket ingredient in the entrée round; and a puny snack could make them crabby when making desserts. Hayden Panettiere serves as a judge.
Appetizers are made with a popular afternoon snack; Mexican ingredients are featured in the entrée round; and bugs don't go over well with the chefs when preparing desserts.
Four youngsters who starred in ``Rachael vs. Guy: Kids Cook Off'' return to compete and win over judges Tiffany Derry, Amanda Freitag and Tia Mowry; the junior chefs face a leftover burger, then try to work cake batter into chicken dishes.
A weird hot dog and a cheese that doesn't want to melt are two of the tricky ingredients that the young competitors face in the appetizer round, then retro candies result in some surprising pops in the entree plates. And the cookie dough in the dessert round is perfectly safe to serve raw, but will the finalists opt to cook it before serving it to judges Monti Carlo, Scott Conant and actress Sarah Michelle Gellar?
The junior chefs are asked to create meals that their moms would love that will also impress judges Maneet Chauhan, Cooking Channel's Haylie Duff, and actress Alison Sweeney. In the first round, the young competitors must figure out how to make escargot go with fruit pops. A pricey cut of meat and a gummy candy are two of the entree basket items, then the dessert round promises to be one of the most unusual in Chopped history.
In the first round featuring rock shrimp and beef tongue, the junior chefs show kindness and help each other out, but someone must still be chopped by a judging panel featuring Maneet Chauhan, actor Rico Rodriguez, and Fabio Viviani. In the second basket, the kids get quail and a variety of tiny foods, and a very groovy cake makes the dessert round extra colorful.
Chefs Kardea Brown and Amanda Freitag are joined by actor Andrew Rannells to judge a very fishy competition. To start, some sugary items in the first basket have the competitors wondering how to create balanced dishes; and time-management issues create big problems for one junior chef. Later, entrées must include canned pasta and an extremely salty veggie; and an injury threatens to ruin a dessert dish.
The junior chefs are fired up for a grilling competition, with NFL Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis, chef Amanda Freitag, and Cooking Channel's Ali Khan serving as judges! Rings of meat and donut hybrids find their way to the grill pans in round one. Then, the judges are happy to see a select piece of beef in the second basket, but wonder if the young competitors will know how to treat it right. Finally, fruit on the grill is all but guaranteed in the dessert round.
A new round of talented junior chefs storms the kitchen to win over judges Alex Guarnaschelli, Eddie Jackson and actress Christine Taylor. First, kids heart pasta, but will the competitors love the heart-shaped pasta in the appetizer round? Some shellfish that are still on the shell and a lime unlike any lime the competitors have ever tasted are part of the challenge in round two. Then, a creative take on cookies and milk is discovered in the dessert basket.
Four talented junior chefs are ready to prove their expertise in the kitchen to judges Marc Murphy, actress Debby Ryan, and Geoffrey Zakarian. In the first round, there's a run on tortillas in the pantry as the young competitors figure out what to do with "poor man's lobster" and a sweet surprise. An Indian tea snack and a lean meat are two of the ingredients in play in the second round, and chocolate and vanilla mingle for dessert!
The junior chefs are instructed to make dishes that their dads would really like, to be judged by chefs Scott Conant and Tre Wilcox alongside pro skateboarder Tony Hawk. The mystery basket ingredients include chicken wings and blue cheese in the appetizer round, then enormous sandwiches in the second round and a big surprise for dessert!
A new group of ambitious junior chefs enter the kitchen with hopes of winning over a special panel of judges: chef Alex Guarnaschelli, Cooking Channel's Kelsey Nixon, and food blogger/chef Donal Skehan. The young competitors start by attempting to make a delicious appetizer with both octopus and a tart dessert bar. An equally confounding meat is at the center of the entree basket, then the finalists see what they can do with some strange fruit and some colorful seeds in their desserts.
Food blogger Ayesha Curry, former White House chef Sam Kass and chef Marcus Samuelsson are on hand to judge this round of young competitors, who must deal with some seriously stinky ingredients in the first basket. The second round has the junior chefs wondering what to do with a snack mix and a mix of mini veggies, and a reptilian cake meets a vegan cheese in the dessert basket.
School's out, but it's time to make the grade by cooking for the judges: chef Roble Ali, actress Jennie Garth and chef Marc Murphy. Some funny cookies and a lean meat are part of the appetizer basket puzzle, and burnt bacon becomes a problem in the entree round. Then, some cleverly-decorated cake pops are hardly the toughest ingredient in a dessert basket that also contains a shocking, crunchy snack.
Four fresh-faced junior chefs must give it their all to impress the judges, model Jourdan Dunn and chefs Carla Hall and Chris Santos. In round one, the competitors must confront a soft drink with a wacky flavor, and some grapes in a funny shape and a crunchy healthy snack are required elements in the young chefs' goat entrees. Then, there's big drama in the dessert round as one competitor attempts a last-ditch dash to the ice cream machine.
Actress Ali Larter, Food Network Star contestant Arnold Myint and chef Chris Santos are on the judging panel and are ready to put these junior chefs to the test! The first round has boar and is anything but boring when plans fall apart for one of the competitors in the final seconds. A delectable fish and some colorful tubers are two of the must-use entree ingredients, then a taco theme in the dessert basket promotes a lot of creativity.
Neatness is always important in plating, but with sloppy joes as a mandatory ingredient in the first round, the judges -- food blogger Siri Daly, actress Cheryl Hines, and chef Geoffrey Zakarian -- must excuse some sloppiness! A red pesto and some white turnips keep things interesting in the entree round, then a yummy bacon apple pie is found in the dessert basket.
When the young chefs must butcher and cook snakes in the appetizer round, will they be too squeamish to let their skills shine through? In the entree round, a dense oddball of a cake must be worked into lamb shoulder dishes. Then, the last precious seconds of the round are a show of desperation and cooperation as the finalists are challenged to make creative, caffeinated desserts for the judges, actor Chris Colfer and chefs Raiza Costa and Amanda Freitag.
Talented 11- and 12-year olds are ready to prove their culinary expertise to the judges, actress Bridget Moynahan and chefs Marc Murphy and Angelo Sosa. First, they set out to make pleasant pheasant dishes in the appetizer round, then the entree basket features something gummy and some yummy ducks. For dessert, one of the competitors must quickly come up with a back-up plan when a key element doesn't turn out right.
The young cooks get some expensive seafood in the first basket and struggle to make the most of valuable time in order to impress the judges, actress Ta'Rhonda Jones, restaurateur Sabin Lomac and chef Aaron Sanchez. Then, bacon is discovered in an odd place in the entree basket. Finally, some figs and fancy peaches must make it to the dessert plates.
A new group of ambitious junior chefs must win over a special panel of judges: chef Tiffany Derry, actress Busy Philipps and chef Aaron Sanchez. First up, an odd egg and a unique version of chicken and waffles are found in the basket. Orange noodles and a red paste are among the colorful ingredients that the young chefs must promptly address in the entree round, and the two finalists must find creative ways to turn Italian pudding and sweet sushi-shaped sandwiches into original desserts.
The young competitors get a generous 30 minutes to cook minute steak in the appetizer round. Breaking down a bird is part of the challenge in round two, along with figuring out what to do with some cool ketchup. Then, the dessert basket contains some delicious stuffed fruit and a fun snack cake. The judging panel features chefs Amanda Freitag and Kristen Kish and former MLB player Jason Varitek.
With gory surprises in every basket, the costumed competitors have much to fear and $10,000 to gain in this Halloween showdown, presided over by judges Scott Conant, event planner Jackie Sorkin and actress Michelle Trachtenberg. A vial filled with something deceptively familiar and some spicy mummies are weird surprises in the first basket, then the entree round has the junior chefs digging into a spooky casserole. Finally, the last two competitors confidently craft desserts from an odd collection of goodies!
In round one, the junior chefs encounter pigs' ears and potatoes as they strive to impress chefs Katie Lee and Chris Santos and actor Alan Thicke. Then, a container of soup and a can of truffles make for strange basket fellows in the entree round. Finally, the pair of kids left in the dessert round get to monkey around with monkey bread and queso fresco
A serious seafood challenge plus a healthy frozen dessert are two of the ingredients that the junior chefs encounter out of the gate. In round two, a pork chop plate will get a young cook chopped, then major setbacks in the dessert round keep the finalists working furiously on their rainbow pancake dishes until time is up. The judging panel features TV host Debbie Matenopoulos and chefs Chris Santos and Dale Talde.
In round one, the junior chefs have to hustle to do their best with duck and some wild-flavored cupcakes. The young cooks all take different routes with the snapper in the entree basket, then the finalists find a playful pie and a tart surprise in the dessert round. The judging panel features chef Scott Conant, NASCAR driver Danica Patrick and chef Jamika Pessoa.
Chefs Tiffany Derry and Alex Guarnaschelli and actress Jennette McCurdy are on hand to judge this round of junior chefs, who must first deal with a peculiar hot dog pasta in their appetizer baskets. The odd combos continue in the second round with s'mores French fries, plus a difficult-to-prepare protein that is definitely new to the young cooks. Then, some adorable dumplings and some fancy fruit are two of the ingredients in the mix for dessert.
A new round of talented young cooks storms the kitchen to win over the judges, chefs Roble Ali and Marcus Samuelsson and blogger Rachel Hollis. First, they find some unusual gifts from the sea in the appetizer basket, and in the entree round, something sweet and something bitter in the basket make for a flavor-balancing act. Then, chocolate ravioli desserts prove to be a challenge in a hectic final round.
Some creatively-presented cheese and a spreadable protein are part of the round one challenge. A strange pink pickle and a crispy, house-made snack food keep the kids on their toes in the entree round, and in the dessert round, a marshmallow mishap has the judges -- chef Maneet Chauhan, TV host Daphne Oz and actor Tyrel Jackson Williams -- wishing they could jump in and help.
Chefs Maneet Chauhan and Andrew Gruel and actress Meghan Markle preside over a competition that begins with a three and a half-pound peanut butter cup and a too-hot griddle that creates problems for one of the young chefs. An enviable cut of pork and a strong-flavored candy are two of the gifts in the entree basket, then the finalists take on a gooey skillet of pink sweetness along with a healthy, crunchy snack in the dessert round.
The young competitors hatch a plan for what to do with a "birds' nest" in the first basket, which is actually a common dish in disguise. Then, in the entree round, the chefs learn a new word for a specific type of chicken and must hustle to get it cooked through. The two finalists have similar ideas for killer kiwi desserts, but will the judges -- singer Austin Mahone, cookbook author Raquel Pelzel and chef Aaron Sanchez -- love their dishes equally?
Chefs Kenny Gilbert and Geoffrey Zakarian and actress Mae Whitman rule the judging table for this round of culinary competition! First, some of the young cooks are not fans of the kid-favorite chicken nuggets found in the appetizer basket. Then, will the junior chefs have the experience to properly cook the delicate bay scallops from the entree basket? The end of the round prompts some unprecedented cooperation among the competitors, then in the dessert round, a hybrid fruit and some Mesozoic candies make for a fun time.
Savory meets sweet, and all is awesome! The junior chefs find something called an "everything donut" in the appetizer basket, which they must make work with a pickled pork product. Cooking venison is a new experience for some of the junior chefs in the entree round, then a competitor makes a bold move in the final seconds of the dessert round. It's up to the judges -- chefs Alex Guarnaschelli and David Guas and NFL player DeMarcus Ware -- to decide if it was a smart choice
Creepy-crawly kabobs in the first basket kick things off on an adventurous note -- will the junior chefs find a good way to incorporate the bites of crunchy protein? In the entree round, the kids are happy to get fish fillets and a colorful cereal. Then, the young cooks must find creative ways to use some little sprinkles and a giant egg in their desserts. The judging panel features actors David Arquette and Jake Smollett and chef Scott Conant.
Four confident young cooks set out to make judges Alex Guarnaschelli, Sandra Lee and Laura Vitale a spectacular Thanksgiving meal. Pumpkin pie comes first as one of the mystery ingredients for the appetizer round. There's no turkey in the entree basket, but there are a lot of other traditional flavors. Then, some adorable cupcakes are at the center of a goody-filled final basket.
Ground beef and curly fries are familiar enough appetizer ingredients, but can the kid cooks stay focused enough to make creative choices and technically-excellent dishes? The junior chefs see seafood inside the second basket, then a cookie cup stuffed with something surprising must be incorporated in desserts. The judging panel features YouTube personality Justine "iJustine" Ezarik, food writer Alison Roman and chef Marcus Samuelsson
'Tis the season for good times in the Chopped Junior Kitchen! The junior chefs are challenged to make a holiday meal for the judges, chefs Sandra Lee, Marc Murphy and Christian Petroni. The feast begins with duck and veggie appetizers, then stockings and wreaths made from common foods create a festive feel in the entree round. Finally, a lot of whimsy and sugar in the dessert basket keep the last two culinary elves happy and busy
Comedian Iliza Shlesinger joins chefs Jet Tila and Aarón Sánchez to judge three rounds, beginning with appetizers made with a cheesy sandwich. Then, entrées are prepared with a root vegetable and a sweet Latin treat. Finally, baskets include a whimsical watermelon dessert.
Ground beef and chocolate present a dilemma for the competitors in Round 1. When making entrées, they are faced with an ingredient that looks like a giant baked potato, but is not. Finally, a patriotic potpourri of items are found in the dessert basket.
Radio host Angie Martinez, actress Chelsea Peretti and chef Geoffrey Zakarian judge the chefs on their appetizers made with wildfire lettuce and fluke. Then, the kid competitors find unique ways to incorporate lemon meringue pie in their entrées. Finally, baking and ice cream are part of the plan for the final two in the dessert round.
In the appetizer round, the young cooks get to find out if bok choy tastes better with bacon. An old-fashioned "pinwheel" protein stirs things up in the entree round. And cottage cheese for dessert? The junior chefs attempt to find a place for it in their final plates. Actress Maia Mitchell and chefs Marc Murphy and Luke Thomas serve as judges
At an age when many kids have never even tasted lamb, the junior chefs competing must create dishes with it in round one. A creamy soup and a pretty pasta are two of the entree basket ingredients that the young cooks must conquer. Then, the judges -- chef Amanda Freitag, actor David Alan Grier and TV host Brandi Milloy -- fret over the gray color of the chia pudding in the dessert basket.
Chef Amanda Freitag, YouTube star Harley Morenstein and actress Anika Noni Rose preside over an all-pizza competition! Three courses of pizza begin with appetizers comprised of exotic looking mushrooms and a creamy Italian sauce. The fun continues as the junior chefs battle against some challenging dough and more sauce in the entree round. Then, the finalists tackle pizza dessert using cheese with a funny name and a wild assortment of fruit!
Chefs Daniel Churchill and Marcus Samuelsson and actress Allison Williams serve as the judges for a new group of junior chefs, who are thrilled when the appetizer basket reveals an exciting twist on chicken and waffles. In the entree round, a sweet, tropical icing must be paired with pork, and in the dessert round, it's a race to the ice cream machine when both finalists are inspired by a coconut beverage
A lucky batch of junior chefs gets to cook with chocolate in all three rounds to win over the judges: chef Scott Conant, model Ashley Graham and Food Network Star contestant Jernard Wells. It starts with a fancy boxed assortment in the appetizer round, then the kids must figure out how to pair chocolate with a stinky cheese for their entrees. And in the dessert round, the finalists are startled by what they think are chocolate-covered bugs.
Four young cooks set out to make judges Cliff Crooks, Bethenny Frankel and Geoffrey Zakarian the most important meal of the day: breakfast! French toast and cereal are remixed in the first basket. Then, the kids struggle to make perfect eggs against the clock in the entree round. The two finalists in the dessert round get to work with an extravagant breakfast-themed cake and a grown-up breakfast beverage.
Chefs Maneet Chauhan and George Mendes and actor Kevin McHale step in to judge the next round of talented junior chefs. First, the kids open the appetizer basket to find something staring right back at them! A cute candy creation and a twist on garlic bread spice things up in the entree round. Then, vegetables make their way into brownies in the dessert round, but the finalists have no problem repurposing them.
A new group of kid competitors bond over their love of music and food as they prepare dishes for the judges: Food Network's Valerie Bertinelli, ballerina Misty Copeland and chef Chris Santos. First, they find themselves working with beets and octopus in block form in the appetizer round. A salmon-like fish filet in the entree round presents challenges, then the finalists must figure out how to work edible piano keys into their desserts.
A fun twist on a classic comfort food is paired with pricey truffles in the appetizer round. In round two, the junior chefs must roll up their sleeves to deal with a large blue squash. Then, the two finalists find creative ways to make desserts with of out-of-this-world lollipops and green fruit. Food journalist Michelle Park, chef Chris Santos and singer Ruben Studdard take over the judging panel.
The young cooks tackle baskets of leftover and often-wasted food, starting with cheese rinds and takeout leftovers in the appetizer round. Then, they find some unwanted produce that must be worked into an entree. For dessert, the finalists find creative uses for forgotten fruit and baking leftovers to win over judges Amanda Freitag, Sam Kass and Marc Murphy.
The young competitors celebrate fried food in each round and whip up some deep-fried delights for the judges, chefs Alex Guarnaschelli and Rebecca Lang and actor Zachary Quinto. The first round kicks off with a popular Southern beverage and seafood. The heat builds in the second round, when the kids get to pair the "caviar of the South" with a savory batter. Then, the dessert round reveals that almost everything can be fried, including ice cream!
In this grilling competition judged by singer Jessie James Decker, food writer Jed Portman and chef Geoffrey Zakarian, a new batch of precocious junior chefs must use a classic cornmeal dish in the appetizer round. The grill pans continue to get a workout in round two, where the kids must combine a marshmallow treat with white barbecue sauce. Then, the dessert round delights the finalists when they find a magnificent cake in the basket!
The junior chefs get to cook three meals -- breakfast, lunch, and dinner -- for the judges, actor J.B. Smoove and chefs Alex Guarnaschelli and Geoffrey Zakarian. In round one, the basket contains Middle Eastern pancakes and special cotton candy. For lunch, they have to try their hand with frozen fast food and raw burgers. Then, the finalists must make dinner with a tender cut of lamb and an Arabic dessert.
A new batch of kids celebrate mac and cheese in all three rounds, beginning with appetizers containing the ready-to-make version. A bright orange snack and fancy cheese must work their way into entrees, then in the final round, even the judges -- actress Betsy Brandt and chefs Marc Murphy and Nguyen Tran -- are surprised to see how mac and cheese can be interpreted in dessert form.
For the first time in Chopped history, kid competitors have a chance at becoming a Chopped judge! In the first competition, judged by Amanda Freitag, Alex Guarnaschelli and Marc Murphy, a burger theme shapes what the kids must cook. For the appetizer round, they have to use an unusual popsicle and a small egg delicacy. The entree round delivers straightforward burger meat, but with a sweet oniony condiment. Then, the remaining kid cooks must figure out how to make burger-inspired desserts using a cured meat ingredient and fresh fruit.
The excitement continues as four eager young chefs cook for the chance to become a judge in the finale event! Maneet Chauhan, Alex Guarnaschelli and Chris Santos sit on the judging panel for this competition, where the kids have to work with a different barbecue sauce in each round. In the appetizer basket, the kids must transform cookies and a slimy vegetable into delicious starters. A pork product must be paired with fresh greens in the entree course, then the finalists struggle to place cheese in their desserts.
The third and final seat at the judges' table is up for grabs! Four precocious kids tackle the mystery baskets, with a baking theme in effect. The appetizer basket reveals a South American sausage and a cheesy baked treat. The young cooks are surprised to find their protein in whole-animal form in the entree round, then the finalists must transform a tart berry and colorful cookie dough into delicious desserts. Amanda Freitag, Alex Guarnaschelli and Scott Conant serve as judges.
In this grilling competition judged by singer Jessie James Decker, food writer Jed Portman and chef Geoffrey Zakarian, a new batch of precocious junior chefs must use a classic cornmeal dish in the appetizer round. The grill pans continue to get a workout in round two, where the kids must combine a marshmallow treat with white barbecue sauce. Then, the dessert round delights the finalists when they find a magnificent cake in the basket!
in this competition packed with backyard barbecue ingredients, the judges -- actress and singer Jana Kramer and chefs Marc Murphy and Geoffrey Zakarian -- are on the lookout for a Chopped cookout champion! The appetizer round reveals a popular potato dish and a protein meant for grilling. The junior chefs get some more cookout classics in the entree round when they find a saucy side dish and burgers. Then, the finalists get to work with a very sweet pie and a sour dairy product.
A new batch of junior chefs compete in challenges involving farm-fresh ingredients from pork and blue cheese in the appetizer round to milk and purple produce in the entree course.
With a healthy fast food theme in effect, a new group of kid cooks must make appetizers using a popular condiment and seafood. An ancient grain bread is paired with poultry in the entree basket, and the dessert basket contains a frozen fruity Italian treat. Chefs Alex Guarnaschelli, Stephanie Izard and Marcus Samuelsson serve as judges.
Caribbean flavors rule in this tropical competition, presided over by judges Scott Conant, Amanda Freitag and musician Ziggy Marley. The competitors come out strong in the appetizer round when they must cook with a classic Caribbean spice blend. Then, the junior chefs must pair fish with fruit in the entree round. The two finalists open the dessert basket to find a green fruit and citrus cookies.
Chefs and brothers Bryan and Michael Voltaggio join Marcus Samuelsson on the judging panel for a family feud! Two sets of siblings compete individually for $10,000, and must pair pancetta and pasta in the first round. Some adorable food animals must make their way into entrees, then a dessert tower excites the finalists in the last round.
The kid cooks learn that they'll be making the most fun cuisine, foods on sticks, for judges Sunny Anderson, Marcus Samuelsson and Dale Talde. Their skewered appetizers must include a fair classic and some stuffed pasta. Cake pops are a whimsical treat for the entree round. Finally, there's a super sweet collection of ingredients in the dessert basket.
The heat is on in this spicy competition, judged by YouTube personality Tyler Oakley and chefs Ching-He Huang and Geoffrey Zakarian. In the appetizer round, the kids must put on their goggles when they tackle hot peppers. The entree round reveals a milder chili, but the junior chefs are left wishing they had practiced cooking goat! Then, in the dessert round, the two finalists must cook with a spicy jam that leaves a tingling sensation.
The junior chefs come out strong in the appetizer round, when they are tasked with pairing a baby vegetable with pickled fruit. In round two, the junior chefs must figure out how to work mushroom-flavored snacks into their entree courses. Then, the two finalists find creative ways to make desserts with a never-melting ice cream snack and marshmallows. Chef and restaurateur Shannon Allen joins Chris Santos and Marcus Samuelsson on the judging panel.
Sixteen astonishingly skilled young winners return to compete for a grand prize of $25,000. In the first battle of this five-part tournament, the champs get a French delicacy and a crunchy snack for the appetizer round. One competitor has never cooked pork tenderloin before, but finds it in the second basket. Finally, the champs' pantry picks in the dessert impact the judges' critiques.
A new group of four champs compete to see who will advance to the $25,000 grand finale! An infamous Chopped ingredient appears in the appetizer basket, then steak could be a gift or a challenge for the kid cooks who make it to the entree round. Then, the two young cooks who get to make dessert must use a tangy fruit and a deep-fried treat.
In this third preliminary battle, the youngest group of champions yet gets a delicate seafood and a tasty pork product in the appetizer round. Chocolates in disguise cause the junior chefs to do a double take when they open the entree basket. Then, coffee with dessert makes sense, but where will the competitors use chili flakes in their final, sweet dishes?
Four outstanding young cooks compete to see who will earn the last spot in the grand finale. Some slender peppers and some scrumptious rolls are part of the puzzle in the appetizer round. The junior chefs must figure out a way to make a guilty pleasure snack work in their venison entrees. Then, some serious mistakes in the dessert round leave the judges with much to consider.
Four of the most talented Chopped Junior competitors have made their way to the finale to compete for a third win, the title and $25,000! The basket powers-that-be throw them a whopper of a first basket that includes a rather wild jerky and a protein that most Americans have never eaten. The second basket is a doozy as well, with cream puffs and a strange ketchup. Then, the final round of the tournament calls for some kid-friendly bubbly.
When the junior chefs encounter alarmingly outlandish surprises in every basket, will working with weird ingredients stop them from cooking at their best? A swamp special must be combined with a spicy frozen dessert in the appetizer round. Peppers and puffer fish tails are in the entree basket. Finally, the kid chefs get a Scandinavian pancake for a dessert-round shocker. Food Network Star finalist Martita Jara guest judges with chefs Marcus Samuelsson and George Mendes.
Four young cooking dynamos try to impress the judges, including guest judge Jessica Alba, with appetizers that include beef tongue; a sweet orange cream smoothie in the entree basket; a giant lollipop and an odd sandwich in the dessert round.
Four talented kid chefs set out on a virtual culinary tour, with each mystery basket containing ingredients from a European country. The junior chefs begin their tour with a stint in Italy in round one, and German adventures in the entree round challenge the kids to figure out what to do with apfelstrudel. In the dessert round, the remaining young chefs try to awaken the judges' senses with English breakfast tea.
When the junior chefs unpack pickle-flavored cotton candy in their appetizer baskets, it's anyone's guess how the round will unfold. In the second round, they must dip into cookie jars to discover sweet ingredients for their entrees and impress the judges, including guest Nikki Bella. Finally, a stinky soda and a crunchy treat await the feisty final competitors in the dessert round.
Anything can happen in the Chopped Junior Kitchen -- including close encounters of the reptilian kind! Alligator tenderloin in the appetizer basket is a bit of a shock, but it's nothing these clever young competitors can’t handle as they try to impress the judges, including guest Clinton Kelly. Edible slime in the entree basket brings a giggle and hopefully something nice to the cooks' main dishes. Finally, milk and cereal with a twist make for a whimsical, tasty dessert round.
Ambitious young chefs put their skills to the test, starting with an appetizer round featuring Texas toast. In round two, guest judge Anthony Anderson keeps the kids laughing as they contend with wacky ingredients like corn on the cob lemonade. The two competitors left standing in the final round go all out to make show-stopping desserts with movie theater popcorn.
The junior chefs must remain fierce and focused in order to tackle mussels in the appetizer round and impress the judges, including guest Bailee Madison. Then they attempt to make incredible duck entrees, but one cook's dish comes up short. Finally, the Chopped Junior Kitchen may never be the same after peanut butter cookie lasagna appears in the dessert round basket.
Turkey-themed baskets keep the kid chefs in the right state of mind as they try to make a meal that guest judge David Dobrik will gobble up, starting with a bucket of turkey meatballs in round one. A rare form of mashed potatoes makes for a hearty hurdle in the entree round, but will the two remaining kids be thankful for or fearful of the dessert goodie in the third basket?
Starting with ketchup soda in round one, the young chefs seek to learn from their mistakes and roll with weird ingredients to impress guest judges Gina Torres and Daniel Breaker. A fancy food and a frozen drink are among the ingredients in the second round, and pork rinds in the dessert basket challenge the last two kid cooks to get creative.
The kid cooks give new life to Thanksgiving leftovers, beginning in round one with a puree that the preteens haven't eaten in years. Two classics must be repurposed in the entree round, and cranberry sauce desserts are in store for guest judge Alanna Masterson as the last two junior chefs finish out the competition.
Holiday wishes come true as the junior chefs get a chance to impress guest judge Rashad Jennings, starting in round one with creative fish dishes. A meaty second course follows before the final two kids find festive surprises like edible snow in the dessert basket.
Young chefs celebrate the holidays with guest judge Corey Fogelmanis and a wrapped present in each round. Along with their seasonal surprises, the kids get cooking with duck in the first round, a popular protein in the entree basket and Santa Claus melon for dessert.
Brave kid cooks set out to prove they have what it takes to thrive in the kitchen and impress guest judge Vanessa Marano. They get creative with wild doughnuts in round one and stinky cheese in the entree round. Creamy and colorful desserts are in order after the junior chefs open the last basket.