‘MasterChef Junior’ season 9 episode 7 recap: Which pint-sized chef was eliminated in ‘Thyme Traveling’? [LIVE BLOG]
Tonight on “MasterChef Junior,” 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 in the all-new “Thyme Travel” episode of MasterChef Junior airing Monday, April 29 (8:00-9:02 PM ET/PT) on FOX.
Below, read our minute-by-minute “MasterChef Junior” recap of Season 9, Episode 7. Then be sure to sound off in the comments section about your favorite young cooks on Fox’s reality TV show and who you think has what it takes to win the entire competition. Once again, Gordon Ramsay leads the judging panel and is joined by renowned chef Aarón Sánchez, Emmy-winning talk show host Daphne Oz and, for the first time, his daughter Tilly Ramsay.
Keep refreshing/reloading this “MasterChef Junior” live blog for the most recent updates.
8:00 p.m. — Previously on “MasterChef Junior”! The remaining six chefs competed for the top spot in a team-based pancake challenge. Then, four young chefs faced a frosty fight to the final five, whipping up their own ice cream dishes. In the end, Alfred, the 11-year-old from Binford, North Dakota was eliminated in sixth place. Who will be next?
8:07 p.m. — The Top 5 enter the kitchen: Asher, Bryson, Jordyn, Michael and Remy. Things begin with Gordon entering a time machine. What could go wrong? He emerges as a pint-sized, yet equally volatile version of himself, which makes all the contestants laugh hysterically. After they figure out how to turn Gordon back into an adult, he brings back the very first dishes each junior chef cooked in the competition. Their challenge tonight is to take dishes from the past and turn them into dishes from the future. Who will do the best job elevating their own dish? The winner will make the Top 4 and an all-inclusive family trip to Mexico. They have one hour and the clock starts now!
8:15 p.m. — The chefs make a mad dash for the pantry to pick out the best ingredients. Each of them have learned a lot over the weeks they’ve spent in the MasterChef kitchen. They all incorporate new ingredients and demonstrate how they’ve evolved in seven weeks. Bryson won the first challenge and he’s feeling the pressure to duplicate that win. Michael is making shrimp tortellini from scratch, which he’s never done before. He feels excited, but a little nervous about taking his dish up a notch. Jordyn shows her growth by adding more greens to her dish, something she hated in the past! Remy is making a multi-verse on a plate, rather than “sunshine” on a plate, which was her first dish. There are a lot of technical elements to this dish. Remy confesses she fears Bryson and Michael the most in this contest. But she reminds us all, “I’m not here to play, I’m here to slay.”
8:30 p.m. — Asher kicked off the competition with a surf ‘n turf but he’s upcoming his game with celery root puree and a special cream sauce. He admits the time constraint is “very stressful” but Gordon assures him, “You’ve got this.” The judges provide commentary, saying Michael is taking a risk making something he’s never cooked before. Remy has to be careful not to overcook her chicken and dry it out. Jordyn’s pork tenderloin is unforgiving because there’s no fat to protect it. Bryson looks slightly flustered, but meat is in his wheelhouse. Asher’s meats and sauces are elevated, but Gordon is worried he’s taken on too much. Time expires and it’s time to find out who has the top dish and who is going home.
8:33 p.m. — Michael’s Shrimp Tortellini with White Wine Cream Sauce, Blanched Tomatoes and Basil Oil is “visually stunning.” Tilly says it looks better than “half the dishes that come out of my dad’s restaurant.” The tortellini bursts with flavor, but the garlic is a little overpowering. Tilly loves that she can taste everything she tasted seven weeks ago in a more creative way. Daphne says the cream sauce is “out of control.” Aarón says he has all the attributes of a great chef.
8:35 p.m. — Remy’s Chicken Breast Roulade with Mash Potatoes, Roasted Carrots and White Wine Truffle Pan Sauce is “visually beautiful” and looks elevated. Gordon loves the roulade, but warns her to remember to wash the mushrooms. Daphne can’t believe the same cook made these two dishes, but she’d like some lime juice or heat. Aarón thinks the carrots are underdone, but otherwise it’s great.
8:40 p.m. — Jordyn’s Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Apple Cider BBQ Sauce, Peas, Pea Puree, Baby Turnips and Greens has an “off-putting” presentation and the pork is overcooked. It’s dry, but the seasoning is on point. Tilly likes the apple cider bbq sauce and thinks it goes well with the pork. Aarón says all the components are there, but the puree doesn’t do anything for the dish. Daphne thinks the presentation “was a real letdown.”
8:45 p.m. — Bryson’s New York Strip with Gruyere Mash Potatoes, Mustard Greens and Bourbon Peppercorn Sauce is “lovely” to look at and the steak is perfectly cooked. Daphne says if Bryson opens a steak restaurant someday, it’s “game over” for everybody, but the greens are “out of control” in the best possible way. Aarón says it’s delicious and perfectly crusted. Tilly loves the mash potatoes. Gordon doesn’t think the dish looks better, but it does taste better.
8:52 p.m. — Asher’s Filet & Butter Poached Lobster with Chanterelle Cream Sauce, Asparagus Tips and Celery Root Puree is visually “very cohesive.” The steak is a beautiful “mid-rare,” but the lobster is “so undercooked.” The steak is cooked beautifully and the sauce is delicious. Unfortunately, the judges can’t even taste the lobster. Tilly’s favorite part is the sauce, but the puree is under-seasoned. Daphne says it’s a “beautiful” dish and there’s a lot to be proud of, despite the undercooked lobster.
9:02 p.m. — The judges take time to deliberate and decide who made tonight’s best and worst dishes. The best dish of the night goes to Michael. Not only is he safe from elimination, but he and his family will be heading on an all-expenses paid vacation to Mexico! Next to advance to the semi-finals are Bryson and Remy. The last person in the semi-finals is Asher. The young home cook going home tonight is Jordyn. She’s only eight years old and the judges have a lot of confidence about her future.
