Move over, Grant Achatz and Stephanie Izard.
Five Chicago-area kids are among 40 young chefs competing on Season 5 of "MasterChef Junior," scheduled to premiere 7 p.m. Thursday on Fox. The contestants, all between the ages of 8 and 13, vie for 20 spots in the kitchen in the two-night premiere.
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Those selected to move on endure a series of challenges to impress judges Gordon Ramsay and Christina Tosi and guest judges, which include former first lady Michelle Obama, chef Wolfgang Puck and "The Big Bang Theory" star Mayim Bialik. The winner of the competition earns $100,000 and the "MasterChef Junior" title, currently held by Season 4 winner Addison Osta Smith of River Forest.
A look at River Forest chef Addison Osta Smith’s journey to the “MasterChef Junior” finale.
(Tracy Swartz)
The Tribune chatted with each of the local contestants about their passion for cooking and their future plans.
Logan Hagene Michael Becker / Fox
Logan Hagene, who attends school in Evanston, loves to cook fish.
Logan Hagene, who attends school in Evanston, loves to cook fish.
(Michael Becker / Fox)
Logan Hagene, turns 11 next week, Lincoln Square
The fifth grader at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Literary and Fine Arts school in Evanston said he began cooking when he was 2 years old. He started with eggs and graduated to salmon, earning him the nickname "King of the Sea."
"MasterChef Junior" is not his first television appearance. He made baked chicken and cheese taquitos on a 2014 episode of Steve Harvey’s television show and participated in a 2015 cooking segment on Harvey’s show, which tapes at the WMAQ-Ch. 5 studios.
"Yeah, I was sort of used to all the cameras and everything. It was so fun," Logan said about filming "MasterChef Junior."
His goal is to own a restaurant and keep inspiring his friends. He even has his own YouTube channel, where he delivers his motto: "Kids, keep cooking."
Charlie Hans Michael Becker / Fox
North Sider Charlie Hans’ signature dish is a burger.
North Sider Charlie Hans’ signature dish is a burger.
(Michael Becker / Fox)
Charlie Hans, 10, Edgebrook
Charlie said his dad taught him the cooking basics and his experimentation led to his signature dish, the "drake burger," which features peppers, onions and secret spice.
A fifth grader at Edgebrook Elementary School, Charlie said he wants to develop Disney attractions and open a restaurant-bakery.
He called his experience on "MasterChef Junior" "super fun and super cool."
"It was really fun being with the other kids and just presenting my dish to the judges was like (gasp), ohmigosh, they’re coming in," he said.
Charlie said he’s looking to forward to keeping in touch with his fellow contestants when the show begins airing, but he’s also anxious to "see if the camera really does add 10 pounds."
Na’lmah Johnson on ‘MasterChef Junior’ Michael Becker / Fox
South Sider Na’lmah Johnson competes on Season 5 of Fox’s "MasterChef Junior."
South Sider Na’lmah Johnson competes on Season 5 of Fox’s "MasterChef Junior."
(Michael Becker / Fox)
Na’Imah Johnson, 11, Beverly
The sixth grader at Barnard Elementary School in the East Beverly neighborhood learned how to bake from her mother and grandmother and has a home bakery, NaNiNu Batter Cakes, with her two sisters.
Her signature dish is red velvet cupcakes — "I like them a lot, so I just put love in them."
"My dream is to own a bakery or a restaurant, but I also would like to be a doctor," Na’Imah said.
Her friends, family and the public can watch her turn in the "MasterChef" premiere Thursday at the Razzmatazz Family Fun Center. She plans to serve red velvet cupcakes, cream cheese poundcake and cookies at the Southwest Side viewing party.
Na’Imah said she was a bit nervous to film the show, but hopes viewers can see she’s a "fun girl."
Evan Robinson Michael Becker / Fox
Evan Robinson, who lives in Hyde Park, enjoys cooking pork belly.
Evan Robinson, who lives in Hyde Park, enjoys cooking pork belly.
(Michael Becker / Fox)
Evan Robinson, 11, Hyde Park
Evan credits Common Threads, a cooking and nutrition program started by Chef Art Smith and artist Jesus Salgueiro, with fueling his passion for cooking.
"My cooking dream is to own a part-restaurant, part-culinary school so I could teach kids how to cook," he said. "I think it would be cool to have a place where kids can learn to cook."
The South Loop Elementary School sixth grader’s go-to dish is a smoked pork belly that he marinates for a week in his special spice rub. He plans to make pork belly tacos for his viewing party for the premiere.
Evan said he was very excited to serve the "MasterChef Junior" judges because he is a longtime fan of the show.
"It was very inspiring to be there," he said. "It was pretty nerve-wracking at first and then it became really fun."
Avani Shah Michael Becker / Fox
Avani Shah, who lives in River North, wants to be a baker.
Avani Shah, who lives in River North, wants to be a baker.
(Michael Becker / Fox)
Avani Shah, 9, River North
If Avani decides not to pursue baking, she may have a future in public relations for Sprinkles Cupcakes founder Candace Nelson, a longtime judge on the Food Network competition "Cupcake Wars."
"I started watching that show because I love cupcakes," Avani said. "(Nelson’s) just really awesome. That’s basically how I got into baking and cooking."
Avani said Nelson influenced her to have a bakery.
"I want to go business school to have my own bakery, and I’m going to have a big ceremony and I’m going to sell a lot of baked goods," Avani said about the ribbon cutting for her future bakery.
In the meantime, Avani is a fourth grader at the British International School of Chicago in Lincoln Park. She recently incorporated her love for baking into a history project by constructing the ancient Greek Parthenon out of homemade Rice Krispies Treats, cookie breadsticks and melted marshmallows.
"It took a long time to make it, but it was worth it," she said.
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