‘MasterChef Junior’ season 9 episode 2 recap: Which pint-sized chef was eliminated in ‘Under the Sea’? [LIVE BLOG]

Denton Davidson
·6 min read
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Tonight on “MasterChef Junior,” the remaining 11 contestants are back in the kitchen for MasterChef Junior’s very first mystery treasure chest challenge! The young chefs must prepare a dish using the mystery seafood that is in their chest, as well as incorporate the slimy bonus ingredient, seaweed, into their delicious concoctions in the all-new “Under the Sea” episode of “MasterChef Junior” airing Monday, March 11 (8:00-9:01 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Below, read our minute-by-minute “MasterChef Junior” recap of Season 9, Episode 2. 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.

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Keep refreshing/reloading this “MasterChef Junior” live blog for the most recent updates.

8:00 p.m. — Previously on “MasterChef Junior”! The 12 best young home cooks between the ages of eight and 13 were cast to compete in Season 9. Next, they were each given an emoji cookie and had one hour to prepare a dish that represented the emotion behind it. In the end Bre, a 10-year-old from Burbank, California, was sent home for an overcooked hamburger with undercooked potatoes on the side. Who will be next?

8:05 p.m. — The fun continues this week as the kids compete in an “Under the Sea” challenge. The judges arrive fully decked out in costumes — Aarón is a pirate, Daphne a mermaid and Tilly a crab. Finally, Gordon walks out last in full snorkel gear, much to the delight of these young cooks. The regular Mystery Box Challenge has been replaced with Mystery Treasure Chests, each containing an ingredient that could help these chef-testants sink or swim. The judges explain each treasure chest has a different kind of seafood inside. They won’t know what they’re getting until they open it. Tilly also adds they’ll also have to incorporate seaweed, and then dumps a bucket of it right on Gordon’s head! Daphne says the seafood should be the hero of tonight’s dish, but the seaweed is an important supporting character. Next, the chefs run to a station of their choosing and open up their chests.

8:10 p.m. Here is the order each contestant opened their chest and what seafood they’ll be cooking tonight: Asher (Halibut), Lydia (Sea Bass), Remy (Squid), Jason (Mahi Mahi), Lilo (Baby Octopus), Miles (Clams & Mussels), Kristell (Lobster), Michael (Salmon), Bryce (Tuna), Jordyn (Amberjack) and Alfred (Prawns). They have one hour to cook their seafood dishes. Whoever serves up victory wins an all-expenses paid trip to California. They’re 60 minutes start now! The kids scatter off into the pantry and pick through the icky seaweed while the judges head off to change clothes. Miles says he’s “super excited” about this challenge and adds, “I love mussels. I’m kind of like the mussel man.” Not as thrilled tonight are Alfred, who finds prawns “scary,” and Remy, who is disgusted by squid.

8:20 p.m. — With 45 minutes left on the clock, the judges begin to circulate around the stations and check in on the chefs. Asher looks confident, telling Gordon and Tilly that he’s working on a halibut coconut curry. He and his dad have been cooking together for a long time and he reveals his father was on Season 8 of “MasterChef,” but didn’t get a white apron. Meanwhile, Alfred explains to Aarón and Daphne that he’s cooking up a prawn chowder. Up in his home state of North Dakota they make warm soups in the winter. A few stations over, Jason explains people call him the “Spice King” because “I bring the heat.” His best skill is bringing big flavors to each dish. He’s making a special seaweed sauce to go on his Mahi Mahi sandwich. Meanwhile, Kristell is thrilled to be cooking lobster. She’s very familiar with the ingredient after spending so much time cooking in Mexico with her grandma. Lydia also looks comfortable with her sea bass, saying she’s been fishing since she was in a stroller.

8:45 p.m. — Time has expired and the judges will now walk around and pick the best and worst dishes of the night. First they reveal the top three. Alfred’s Prawn Chowder with Sea Lettuce Butter & Cheese Crostini is visually “hearty.” It tastes “really good” and has a nice “shrimp bisque” flavor. Alfred made smart decisions with his vegetables. Jordyn’s Amberjack Tostadas with Avocado Crema and Three Seaweed Salad looks delicious. The tostadas are “nice and crispy” and the Amberjack is seasoned beautifully. Asher’s Halibut in Yellow Curry with White Rice and Velvet Horn Seaweed is “impressive.” The velvet horn seaweed is “fun and different” and the halibut is cooked brilliantly. Gordon calls this dish “genius.” After a brief discussion, the judges decide this week’s winner is Asher!

9:00 p.m. — Now for some sad news. The judges call forward the three worst dishes, beginning with Kristell’s Lobster Fra Diavolo with Dulse Seaweed. Gordon says it’s hard to tell it’s lobster, which is a shame. Aarón says the lobster is slightly overcooked and Daphne thinks the pasta is mushy. Jason’s Mahi Mahi Sandwich with French Fries and Ogo Seaweed and Gochujang Remoulade looks basic. This fish burger is under-seasoned, undercooked and “a little bit sad.” Daphne thinks the seaweed got hidden and it’s not worthy of “MasterChef Junior.” Lilo’s Octopus Tacos with Pickled Vegetables, Lime Crema and Ogo Seaweed Garnish needs more color. The octopus is “a little bit rubbery” but the pickle is wonderful. The taco itself has a little too much sauce. These critiques were harsh!

9:01 p.m. — The judges deliberate and decide the second junior chef going home is Jason. The nine-year-old bursts into tears as Gordon tells him the Mahi Mahi needed more seasoning and a touch more love. Daphne can’t wait to see what he continues to do in the kitchen. Jason says it’s hard to go home now, but hopes his mom will be proud he made the Top 11.

Launch Gallery: 'MasterChef Junior' Season 9 cast: Meet the 12 young cooks competing

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