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It’s common to see kids playing with toy pots and pans and pretending to cut plastic fruits and vegetables in their make believe kitchen but it’s a whole new world to see young children cooking in a real life kitchen setting.
Many of us were astounded by the young chefs in Junior MasterChef Australia, a spin –off of the Australian cooking game show MasterChef Australia. The reality cooking game show was a big hit in the Philippines. The young chefs were amazing and their cooking skills were impressive.
Filipino Fans and followers of Junior MasterChef Australia were delighted when they first heard that a Pinoy version of the show was bound to hit the Philippine television airwaves. The Junior MasterChef phenomenon ignited the interest of a lot of Filipino kids to get busy in the kitchen. Many young hopefuls aspired to be part of the reality cooking game show.
The wait and anticipation for Junior MasterChef Pinoy edition ended on the day that the 60 young amateur chefs were revealed on the show’s primer.
Official soundtrack
The theme song of Junior MasterChef Pinoy edition called ‘Bilib na Bilib’ was sang by 11-year old Youtube Filipino – Canadian sensation Mia Aragon and composed by Jimmy Antiporda. The song cheers on the young chefs to give their best performance and believe in their skills and talents.
The judges
The Junior MasterChef Pinoy edition contestants will be judged by world renowned chefs namely Chef Fernando “Ferns” Aracama, Chef Rolando “Lau” Laudico, and Chef JP “Jayps” Anglo. Actress and Culinary Arts graduate Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo joins these top chefs in search for the finest young amateur chefs in the country.
“This show is all heart. The kids are really cute and smart so it’s hard not to have a connection with them. But as a host and their mom in the program, I’m the one to balance their emotions. We don’t want to hurt their feelings but we also need to be honest when it comes to the taste of their dishes. When they’re about to cry, I have to be strong and raise their spirits. You have to be ready with words of encouragement for them,” – Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo
"When you see kids cooking, you're relieving your childhood. I like that feeling that you're a child again." - Chef Rolando "Lau" Laudico
“If I had a similar opportunity when I was younger, I would sign up for this without batting an eyelash.” - Chef Fernando “Ferns” Aracama
Show highlights
* The Appetizer (August 20, 2011)
Host Santos-Agoncillo introduced the 60 young amateur chefs from different parts of the country (Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao) during the show’s exciting primer. Sixty kids aged 8-12 were screened by Chef Aracama, Chef Laudico, and Chef Anglo along with Santos-Agoncillo based on their signature dish.
* Top 60 Heat 1 Filipino Fiesta Cuisine (August 27, 2011)
The first 20 out of the 60 participants were tasked to cook Filipino fiesta cuisine. Half of Heat 1 took a step higher and advanced to the top 30. Here are the top 10 participants and their respective Filipino fiesta dishes favored by the judges:
1. Iain Johnston, 12, Baguio - Lemon Chicken Mediterranean Style
2. Bea Atienza, 11, Davao - Adobong Tuna Buntot
3. Philip Amarillo, 12, Cebu - Pork Kaldereta
4. Kyle Imao, 11, Marikina - Pancit Luglog with Malay-Vietnamese Twist
5. Juday Vinasoy, 11, Valenzuela – Igado
6. Franz Dacanay, 11, San Juan - Chicken Binakol
7. Louise Mabulo, 12, Naga - Laing-Stuffed Chicken
8. Micmic Alebusa, 12, Iloilo – Tinuom
9. Gilbert Go, 11, Quezon City - Sugpo with Laing
10. Leslie Conopio, 12, Davao -Tilapia with Coconut Milk
* Top 60 Heat 2 Dessert (September 3, 2011)
Another group of 20 young chefs participated in Heat 2. Ten young chefs outshone the others. Here are the top 10 contestants and their respective desserts chosen by the judges:
1. Caitlin Taluban, 11, Quezon City - Bibingka
2. Jobim Albuena, 12, Makati - Chocolate Explosion
3. Athena Garcia, Baguio - Red Velvet Cupcake with Cream Cheese Panacotta
4. Mika Tanaka, 10, Quezon City - Caramel Custard Tart
5. Gino Yang, 11, Muntinlupa - Panacotta
6. Tricia Baylosis, 11, Batangas - Lechetin
7. Judel Bautista, 10, Quezon - Broken Glass
8. Acee Salangsang, 11, General Santos - Creme Brulee
9. Nadine Lee Oliver, 10, Naga - Panacotta
10. Inday Lee, 10, Iloilo - Moist Chocolate Cupcake
* Top 60 Heat 3 Seafood Dish (September 10, 2011)
The last group of 20 contestants was assigned to prepare seafood dishes. Ten young junior chefs awed the chefs and proceeded to the qualifying round. Here are the top 10 contestants and their respective seafood dishes picked by the judges:
1. Bianca Dimapilis, 9, Antipolo - Salmon with Spinach Canneiloni and Caviar
2. Emman Buquid, 11, Muntinlupa - Nilasing na Hipon
3. Jek Petalio, 12, Naga - Kinunot na Pagi
4. Miko Manzano, 11, Caloocan – Bacon Wrapped Prawns in Aligue Pasta
5. Shatze Ramos, 9, Pangasinan - Bangus Sisig with Onion Rings
6. Echo Feria, 10, Quezon City - Seafood Curry
7. Patrick Baldosano, 12, Paranaque - Seafood Pasta with Seared Tuna
8. Church Palacio, 12, Cebu - Salmon Fillet Wrapped in Bacon
9. Popcorn Jimenez, 9, Pampanga - Sweet and Sour Shrimp
10. Gelo Abrenica, 9, Antipolo - Sugpo Steak
* Qualifying Round I Invention Test (September 17, 2011)
In the Invention Test, the top 30 junior chefs were divided into 2 groups to take part in their first Invention Test. The first group was tasked to make a chicken and vegetable dish. Next week, the second group will create a pork and fruit dish. Only 10 junior chefs chosen from each group will stand as the official contestants of Junior Masterchef Pinoy edition.
The first 10 Junior Masterchefs official contestants and their invented dishes are:
1. Jobim Jalbuena – Spicy Mediterranean chicken with Salsa and Flatbread
2. Kyle Imao – Tortilla Crusted Chicken with Cheese Pimiento and Roasted Pistachio, Salsa on a Bed of Mexican Pilaf with Mexican Salad & Guacamole
3. Gino Yang – Breaded Chicken with Spinach and Mushroom
4. Philip Amarillo – Chicken with Pesto Sauce
5. Athena Garcia – Chicken Adobo Roulade
6. Patrick Baldosano – Pork Medallion with Orange Sauce, cucumber and Apple Salad and Basil Potatoes
7. Miko Manzano – Stuffed Herb French Grilled Porkchop with Mango and Plum Sauce
8. Louise Mabulo – Filipino Sushi
9. Bianca Dimapilis – Eggs Benedict with Apple Glaze
10. Judel Bautista – Spicy Pork with Mango Sauce
* Junior Masterchef Pinoy edition continues to air on ABS-CBN every Saturday, 6:45 p.m.
Junior Masterchef challenges
The Top 20 official contestants will participate in different cooking challenges in order to test their culinary skills namely: Mystery Box Challenge, Invention Test, Offsite Challenge, Catch Up Challenge and Pressure Test.
Photos: Screencap from Junior MasterChef Pinoy Edition Facebook account.
Videos: 'Junior MasterChef Pinoy Edition Music Video' c/o Youtube.
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Rachel Yapchiongco, also known as Rach to her friends, is a Psychology and Marketing Management graduate of De La Salle University. She took up several units of MBA at the same university. Rachel is a full-time mom to a charming young boy and married to an entrepreneur with a passion for cooking. She shares parenting experiences and slices of everyday life on her personal blog called Heart of Rachel.
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