When I heard that Gordon Ramsay was going to host a cooking competitive reality TV show for kids, I thought it was a horrific idea. Cut to me imagining Ramsay screaming profanities at children and children crying incessantly for about 45 minutes. Plus I am not the kind of woman who automatically thinks that every child is cute. I like the specific children that I know, not ANY child. You are not going to be little forever. You have to bring something special to the table.
I am pleased to say that my preconceptions of MasterChef Junior were completely wrong. I actually enjoy MasterChef Junior more than MasterChef. The children contestants show more maturity than their adult counterparts, empathize and console fellow contestants who are doing badly and cheer each other on when they do well. There is none of ugly underbelly of competition, just a desire to do his or her best and win fair and square. The contestants are ages 8 through 13, which is apparently the age range before the universe twists you into a horrific doppleganger of your sweet original self.
I do not know what I was worried about. Ramsay is the father of four children, and the other MasterChef Junior judges do not treat the children like their adult counterparts. The MasterChef Junior judges must have taken tips from Nickelodeon hosts from the past because they give the children frequent opportunities to let off some steam by getting food dumped on the judges. They are very encouraging and never come close to breaking the children’s spirits while offering them constructive criticism.
I highly recommend that you give MasterChef Junior a chance. Other than (hopefully) unfounded qualms about possible violations of child labor laws and concerns about the potential for scarring children for life by memorializing their every move in a reality show, MasterChef Junior is a fun view for the entire family.