In whatโs been a difficult year, the MasterChef judges Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo reveal how working with the next generation has been โinspiringโ and โupliftingโ and why MasterChef Junior is exactly what audiences need right now.
Talking to Womanโs Day, judges Melissa Leong, Jock Zonfrillo and Andy Allen are calling the latest crop of Junior MasterChefs have left them โblown awayโ.
โIn a word, these kids were inspiring. To have 14 enthusiastic, good-hearted clever and creative juniors to spend this season with was such a bright spot in a crazy year,โ Melissa, 38, says.
Despite having four kids of his own, judge Jock, 44, says he has been blown away by the masterful approach the youngsters have taken to this yearโs competition.
โThe next generation of cooks have access to so much more information and education, and itโs all right at their fingertips,โ he says.
โThey can master skills by watching online tutorials that simply didnโt exist back in my day.โ
And while youngest judge Andy, 32, was nervous to work with children, he says all apprehension disappeared the moment he met them.
โFrom the day I got into the kitchen, I just loved working with them,โ he says.
โWhat really blew me away most was their confidence and how they handled themselves in he kitchen. They were so entertaining!โ he adds.
Now, get to know the 14 new stars of the series before it airs Sunday October 11 at 7.30pm on Channel 10.
Ben
Ben, 10, Victoria
Carter
Carter, 12, New South Wales
Dev
Dev, 13, Victoria
Etka
Etka, 13, Vic
Filo
Filo, 12, Victoria
Georgia
Georgia, 11, Victoria
Laura
Laura, 13, Queensland
Phenix
Phenix, 11, New South Wales
Porsha
Porsha, 11, Queensland
Ruby
Ruby, 11, Western Australia
Ryan
Ryan, 11, South Australia
Salvo
Salvo, 13, Western Australia
Tiffany
Tiffany, 14, Queensland
Vienna
Vienna, 13, Victoria