In Food Network’s new series Rachael Ray’s Kids Cook-Off, premiering Monday, Aug. 24 at 8|7c, eight junior chefs will put their exceptional cooking chops to the test as they compete for a $20,000 culinary scholarship and their own Web series on FoodNetwork.com. The pintsize competitors will be tested with on-camera challenges and high-pressure cooking obstacles as they attempt to impress host Rachael Ray. But they’re not only gaining the approval of Rachael — they’ll also be competing in front of an all-star guest judge each week, including Sunny Anderson, Robert Irvine and Alex Guarnaschelli.

The kids range in age from 11 to 13, but you’d never guess that by the looks of the food they can produce, including out-of-this-world pasta dishes and pastries you have to see to believe. The chefs have their own signature styles, coming from California, Colorado and everywhere in between. Tough challenges will allow the best of the best to rise to the top, but only one can be crowned the champion.

Rachael and guest judge Robert will challenge the kids to express what makes them unique. Only seven contestants will be chosen to continue.

The kids will have to prove they know how to take a dish and make it their own by putting a spin on a fast-food classic. Food critic and Internet star Daymon Patterson will join Rachael to decide which six cooks will move on.

While showing off their signature flavors in a pasta challenge, the kids must each create a food product to impress Rachael and Fabio Viviani, and move on to the next round.

Each of the five remaining kids must choose, cook and present the dish that has had the most impact on his or her life so far. Sunny joins Rachael to decide which four impress the most.

Contestants must create a monstrous meal inspired by the new movie Hotel Transylvania 2. Jeff Mauro joins Rachael to choose who will make it to the final week.

In the finale, the three remaining kid chefs will cook to impress four Chopped judges, who will help Rachael decide who wins the $20,000 culinary scholarship and a Web series on FoodNetwork.com.

Keep checking back for behind-the-scenes photos, interviews and more on FoodNetwork.com/kidscookoff. And join the conversation online using the hashtag #KidsCookOff.