Fox has ordered an 8-episode third season of cooking competition series “MasterChef Junior.”
Production on Season 2 has yet to begin, but both installments will begin shooting this spring. During its first season, “MasterChef Junior” averaged 5.1 million total viewers and ranked No. 1 in its time period in the advertiser-sought adults 18-49 demographic.
The unscripted series gives children between the ages of eight and 13 an opportunity to show off their culinary ability through a series of challenges. Host, executive producer and award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay is joined by restaurateur and winemaker Joe Bastianich (Eataly) and acclaimed chef Graham Elliot (Graham Elliot Bistro) on the Fox reality series’ judging panel.
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“‘MasterChef Junior’ has proven itself to be the little show with a big bite – so big, we’ve picked it up for a third season,” said Simon Andreae, executive vice president, Alternative Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “It’s incredible to see how unbelievably creative and skilled kids can be in the kitchen — some before they’ve even learned how to SPELL what they’re cooking! We can’t wait to meet the talent that our judges discover in the next two cycles.”
“Junior” is produced by Shine America and One Potato Two Potato, and is based on a format created by Franc Roddam and Shine.
Shine International handles distribution. Ramsay, Elisabeth Murdoch, Eden Gaha, Paul Franklin, Robin Ashbrook, Adeline Ramage Rooney, Patricia Llewellyn and Ben Adler serve as executive producers.