The WORST episodes of MasterChef Junior
Every episode of MasterChef Junior ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of MasterChef Junior!
Move over grown-ups…the kids are taking over the kitchen! "MasterChef Junior" is a new culinary competition series for talented kids between the ages of eight and 13 who love to cook. The series will give budding cooks the exciting opportunity to showcase their talent, culinary smarts and passion for food through a series of delicious challenges and cook-offs. Host and award-winning Chef Gordon Ramsay is joined by renowned pastry chef Christina Tosi, Together, the celebrated food experts will coach and encourage the promising hopefuls to cook like pros and teach them the tricks of the trade along the way.
#1 - The Crème de la Crème... Brulee
Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/17/2015
The competition heats up as the 4 remaining junior home cooks must prepare 20 crème brulees. The home cook who successfully brulees the most cremes in the allotted time earns a significant advantage in the next elimination challenge. Next, the junior home cooks has to each make a complex raspberry dessert dish. The two contestants who impress the judges the most earns their spot in the finale and be one step closer to the title.
#2 - Magic Castle
Season 9 - Episode 4 - Aired 3/25/2024
The top eight young chefs journey outside the MasterChef Junior kitchen and head to the famous Magic Castle to celebrate its 60th anniversary! They split into teams to perform magic on the grill and feed the magicians and staff of the Academy of Magical Arts.
#3 - The Finale
Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 2/24/2015
In the exciting season finale, the two finalists competes head-to-head and prepare the most important menu of their young lives. Find out which talented junior home cook earns the MasterChef trophy and a $100,000 prize.
#4 - Grandad Gordon!
Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/20/2015
Twelve cooks remain for a mystery box challenge using ingredients that get better with age. Later, the contestants work with the most dangerous protein in the show's history.
#5 - Eating Emoji
Season 9 - Episode 1 - Aired 3/4/2024
Twelve young home chefs enter the kitchen to battle it out for the trophy and the grand prize.
#6 - Restaurant Takeover
Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/10/2015
In one of the toughest challenges of the season, the six remaining junior home cooks face the restaurant takeover challenge. The contestants split into two teams and take over a real Los Angeles restaurant. Find out which team is victorious and who advances to the Top 4.
#7 - Raw Talent
Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/27/2015
A pantry hunt pits the winners from the previous challenge against one another to match the most ingredients in the time allotted. Later, the 10 remaining contestants team up in pairs to complete an elaborate sushi dish.
#8 - Easy as Pie
Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/13/2015
Three of the junior cooks race to be the first to top their pies with whipped meringue; the cooks pair up to create sausage dishes.
#9 - Pop-Up Restaurant
Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 12/2/2014
The last six cooks split up into teams to compete in the inaugural restaurant challenge, with the winning group advancing to the semifinals.
#10 - Crackin' Under Pressure
Season 6 - Episode 10 - Aired 4/20/2018
The Top 12 have just 15 minutes to make as many eggs benedict dishes as they can. Then, they must prepare one of the most difficult egg dishes of all time.
#11 - The Road to the Finale
Season 8 - Episode 15 - Aired 6/23/2022
In the road to the MASTERCHEF Junior Edition finals, host Gordon Ramsay recaps the biggest, most exciting moments of Season Eight. Ramsay counts down with the best bloopers, clips and outtakes of the season.
#12 - Tag Team
Season 6 - Episode 9 - Aired 4/13/2018
The chefs have 45 minutes to create dishes inspired by their families using farm fresh ingredients.
#13 - Daphne's Baby Shower
Season 8 - Episode 5 - Aired 4/14/2022
To celebrate the approaching birth of her baby, judge Daphne Oz challenges the remaining 12 young chefs to divide into 2 teams and create the ultimate savory and sweet balanced meal. The teams must satisfy the cravings of a restaurant full of mothers-to-be or face elimination.
#14 - The Restaurant Takeover
Season 8 - Episode 11 - Aired 5/26/2022
The top six junior chefs put their professional skills to the test during a restaurant takeover at the luxury hotel NoMad in downtown Los Angeles. Executive Chef Rudy Lopez lends his kitchen to the chefs after teaching them how to prepare some of the restaurant's signature dishes. The junior chefs must work together under the pressure and intensity of the kitchen to deliver the usual quality of the restaurant to a packed dining room of guests who have no idea the chefs are kids. The judges decide whose performance lands them in the top five.
#15 - Gordon Demo
Season 9 - Episode 8 - Aired 5/6/2024
In the semi-final, the remaining four chefs dive beak-first into their most daunting challenge yet: cooking alongside Gordon Ramsay himself. Tasked with replicating one of Gordon's iconic duck dishes in real-time, each contestant must match Gordon's pace, precision and passion.
#16 - Under the Sea
Season 9 - Episode 2 - Aired 3/11/2024
The remaining eleven contestants are back in the kitchen for a mystery treasure chest challenge.
#17 - Thyme Travel
Season 9 - Episode 7 - Aired 4/29/2024
The five remaining young chefs travel back in time to week one to earn a spot in the semi-finals. The chefs are tasked with recreating the first dish they made in the MasterChef Kitchen into an elegant and electrifying version.
#18 - Globetrotters
Season 9 - Episode 3 - Aired 3/18/2024
The chefs are up for their first team challenge where they are tasked with preparing hearty meals for the Harlem Globetrotters. Each team must whip up a meal that satisfies the players' big appetites while meeting their dietary restrictions.
#19 - Finale Part 1
Season 9 - Episode 9 - Aired 5/13/2024
The three finalists battle against each other in the ultimate showdown. The pint-sized chefs are tasked with creating an appetizer using the popular - and feared - flambé technique. Then, the chefs create an exquisite main course dish as they get one step closer to being crowned the next MasterChef Junior.
#20 - A Can Do Attitude
Season 6 - Episode 11 - Aired 4/20/2018
The remaining home cooks create their own unique dishes but must use one common ingredient – chocolate. The winner will receive the first-ever MasterChef golden apron and the biggest advantage in series history.
#21 - Room Service
Season 6 - Episode 8 - Aired 4/13/2018
The junior cooks split into teams and take over the kitchen at an upscale hotel; they must run room service during breakfast for the hotel guests.
#22 - Motocross Mayhem
Season 8 - Episode 7 - Aired 4/28/2022
The Top 10 chefs start their engines for the ultimate race of the season, as they head over to a secret destination for their challenge. The strongest communicators are picked as team captains, as they compete to create the best American-style comfort dish for a team of very hungry motorsport racers. Find out who will take home the checkered flag.
#23 - The Class of 2015
Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/6/2015
Season 3 begins with the introduction of 19 new cooks, who tackle their first mystery box challenge by making a dish with only the ingredients they are given. The winner gets to pick the pasta the other contestants prepare for the judges.
#24 - Where's Walnuts?
Season 8 - Episode 6 - Aired 4/21/2022
After facing a nutty Mystery Box challenge, 11 junior chefs compete in a fiery elimination challenge. They also welcome back Season 7 winner Che Spiotta.
#25 - Donut Holes & Hold Your Nose
Season 8 - Episode 4 - Aired 4/7/2022
Gordon Ramsay's daughter, Matilda "Tilly" Ramsay, joins as a guest judge, as the panel challenges the remaining 13 young home cooks to make one of their favorite treats: donuts. The chefs have 60 minutes to prepare two types of donut holes and display them. Those in the elimination challenge transform ugly, stinky ingredients into a delicious dish.