Chopped Junior Episodes
Bug Bites
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.
Cup of Glee
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.
Hot Potato, Not Potato
Four ambitious kids bring their cooking skills to the Chopped Kitchen as they try to impress chefs Lazarus Lynch and Marc Murphy and actor James Maslow. Ground beef and chocolate present a conundrum for the competitors in the first round. In the entree basket, an ingredient that looks like a giant baked potato is something else entirely, and a red, white and blue snack in the dessert basket is a patriotic potpourri for the finalists.
Thanks Kidding
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.
Got Elk?
A new group of young competitors enter the kitchen and attempt to win over the judges, chefs Aaron Sanchez and Jet Tila and comedian Iliza Shlesinger. A super-cheesy sandwich is at the center of a puzzling appetizer basket, then in the second round, a root vegetable and a sweet Latin treat must find a place on the entree plates. The two kids lucky enough to make it all the way to the final round find a whimsical watermelon dessert in the baskets.
Nest Test
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?
Yay Holidays!
'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.
Donut Sweat It
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.
Nugget? Fuhgettaboutit!
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.
Fries Wise
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.
Lemon Meringue Why?
The judges, radio host Angie Martinez, actress Chelsea Peretti and chef Geoffrey Zakarian, watch to see what wild appetizer dishes the competitors will make with wildfire lettuce and fluke. Then, the remaining kids wonder why a beautiful lemon meringue pie must be found in the entree round but manage to find unique ways to use it. Finally, baking and ice cream are part of the plan for both competitors in the dessert round.
Pinwheel Meals
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.
Chia Frets
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.
