There is still a magical world where kids cook food instead of refusing to eat it: Fox has renewed “MasterChef Junior” for a second season.
The show, which will begin holding open castings next month, gives contestants eight to 13 the chance to showcase their culinary skills. Host Gordon Ramsay is joined by restaurateur and winemaker Joe Bastianich (Del Posto, Eataly) and acclaimed chef Graham Elliot (Graham Elliot Bistro) on the judging panel.
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“MasterChef Junior is one of the few shows on television that the entire family can truly enjoy together, and I can’t wait to see what Gordon, Joe, Graham and the next round of rambunctious, ridiculously talented junior chefs cook up in Season Two,” said Kevin Reilly, chairman of entertainment for Fox Broadcasting Company.
During its first season, the show averaged 5.1 million total viewers and ranked No. 1 in its time period among adults 18-49.
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Open casting calls for the second season will be held in New York City and Chicago on Jan. 18 and in Dallas and Los Angeles on Jan. 25.
Produced by Shine America and One Potato Two Potato, the show is based on a format created by Franc Roddam and Shine. Shine International handles distribution. Elisabeth Murdoch, Eden Gaha, Paul Franklin, Robin Ashbrook, Gordon Ramsay, Adeline Ramage Rooney, Patricia Llewellyn and Ben Adler serve as executive producers.