About this season
Junior MasterChef is a British TV cookery competition, broadcast by the BBC, in which nine- to twelve-year-olds compete to be crowned Junior MasterChef. It is a spin-off from the main series MasterChef. Junior MasterChef first ran from 1994 to 1999, presented by Loyd Grossman. After a long hiatus, it was revived in 2010 in a revamped format, presented by writer and actress Nadia Sawalha, previously a Celebrity MasterChef contestant and restaurant owner, and professional chef John Torode, who also presents MasterChef. The revival series was commissioned by CBBC Controller Anne Gilchrist and produced by Shine Television, and was broadcast on BBC One. A further series was commissioned in 2012 for broadcast on CBBC.
Episodes (15)
1. Series 2, Show 1
Aired 16 July 1995 • 30 min
Junior MasterChef is back to find the best young cook in the country. The first four cooks try to make John's fish and chip recipe fantastic, before cooking their favourites.
2. Series 2, Show 2
Aired 23 July 1995 • 30 min
Can the contestants make John's pain perdu dessert to-die-for? Whose syrup will be the stickiest, and whose cream the spiciest?
3. Series 2, Show 3
Aired 30 July 1995 • 30 min
Another four cooks must dazzle judges John Torode and Donal Skehan, with dishes including teriyaki salmon and chicken in pancetta.
4. Series 2, Show 4
Aired 6 August 1995 • 30 min
John Torode challenges the hopefuls to create a vanilla slice dessert to match his own. They then have to prepare a selection of their favourite dishes, including paella, apple tarte tat in, and vanilla cheesecake.
5. Series 2, Show 5
Aired 20 August 1995 • 30 min
The first quarter-final contest includes a taste-test and a challenge to produce culinary creations that will impress judges John Torode and Donal Skehan.
6. Series 2, Show 6
Aired 27 August 1995 • 30 min
Four more contestants battle for a place in the quarter-finals, preparing their versions of John Torode's pad Thai before tackling their own favourites, including chicken balti, seared tuna, and summer berry tart
7. Series 2, Show 7
Aired 3 September 1995 • 30 min
Four cooks try to perfect John's profiteroles, before cooking international favourites such as chicken goujons and Moroccan lamb.
8. Series 2, Show 8
Aired 10 September 1995 • 30 min
Four cooks tackle John's pate and toast dish, before making favourites including prawn curry and strawberry shortbread.
9. Series 2, Show 9
Aired 17 September 1995 • 30 min
10. Series 2, Show 10
Aired 24 September 1995 • 30 min
11. Episode 11
Aired 19 November 2012 • 30 min
Finals week gets under way as the remaining four contestants are given the opportunity to work in a professional kitchen, preparing dishes for specially invited guests. The cooks must also serve up the perfect rib-eye steak for the chef's signature dish.
12. Episode 12
Aired 20 November 2012 • 30 min
13. Episode 13
Aired 21 November 2012 • 30 min
14. Episode 14
Aired 22 November 2012 • 30 min
John Torode challenges the four remaining contestants to come up with a restaurant-style service inspired by the flavours of Italy, Thailand, the Middle East and Britain as a treat for the 10-year-old stars of West End musical Matilda
15. Episode 15
Aired 23 November 2012 • 30 min
The four best cooks compete in the final, preparing three-course meals to impress the tastebuds of John Torode and Donal Skehan. Dishes include poached lobster, lamb with dauphinoise potatoes, plum crumble with custard and sticky toffee pudding. The hopeful with the finest culinary skills will become Junior MasterChef Champion 2012. Last in the series