Jump to Comments

Last week, Bravo announced the development of its new creative competition series ‘Top Chef Junior. The announcements were made by Frances Berwick, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Bravo Media. “With ‘Top Chef’ as the number one food show on cable comes the natural expansion in our food domain,” said Berwick. “With ‘Top Chef Junior’ we’re reaching a growing market and are developing a series that will teach and test the skills of younger aspiring chefs and appeal to the whole family.

The love of food reaches all ages and teens today are continually expanding their culinary knowledge – from cooking classes to kids’ cookbooks. “Top Chef Junior,” which will be based on the Emmy-nominated hit culinary series “Top Chef,” is an eight episode series where teens (ages 13 to 16) will compete to see if they have what it takes to become a junior “Top Chef.”

As a cooking teacher for kids of all ages, I can honestly say that very few children would seem to be able to perform under the types of pressure that the adults in Top Chef are subjected to.  I, personally, would crumble with the intensity of criticism and competition that the former adult contestants faced.  I truly hope that the “teach and test” aspect of the show comes to fruition – This way, the show could be like an intense culinary academy with fun, challenging and rigorous testing.  Plenty of children love to cook, and with supportive parents, are encouraged to participate in the kitchen.  I wouldn’t be surprised if the culinary skills of these contestants-to-be would blow many cooks out of the water!

To date, there are no real cooking shows for kids out there.  Pretty soon, our friend Michael’s show, DOOF, will appear on PBS.  My kids, ages 6 and 8, can’t wait for it to come out.  Perhaps Top Chef Junior will be edgy and exciting enough to capture and hold the attention of older kids and teens who thirst for age appropriate culinary inspiration and guidance.  I, for one, will be sure to tune in and check it out.  If given the chance, I bet my kids will be joining me!