‘MasterChef Junior’ season 9 episode 6 recap: Which pint-sized chef was eliminated in ‘Pancakes & Ice Cream’? [LIVE BLOG]
Tonight on “MasterChef Junior,” the stakes and stacks could not be higher as the remaining six chefs compete for the top spot in a team-based pancake challenge. Then, four young chefs must face a frosty fight to the final five, whipping up their own ice cream dishes in the all-new “Pancakes & Ice Cream” episode of “MasterChef Junior” airing Monday, April 22 (8:00-9:02 PM ET/PT) on FOX.
Below, read our minute-by-minute “MasterChef Junior” recap of Season 9, Episode 6. 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 top seven young chefs were faced with a mystery box challenge made from their nightmares! In the end, Lilo was eliminated in seventh place. Who will be next?
8:05 p.m. — The top six junior chefs are excited to walk into a kitchen full of tasty treats. They’re informed there will be two “sweet challenges” tonight, beginning with a pancake race. They’ll work in teams of two to put out beautiful stacks of pancakes. They’ll be judged on how perfect they come out, and Daphne does a brief demonstration to show them how to make pancakes just right. The teams are decided by random draw as follows: Alfred & Remy, Jordyn & Michael and Asher & Bryson. They’ll have just 15 minutes to create as many stacks of pancakes as possible. The winning team will be safe from tonight’s elimination challenge.
8:15 p.m. — The trick to the perfect pancake stacks are consistency. Alfred immediately feels stressed out “even though pancakes are supposed to be fun to make.” Over on the Yellow Team, Asher & Bryson are looking good with Bryson flipping pancakes as Asher plates. Meanwhile, Remy is growing frustrated with Alfred’s lack of communication. Eventually they get in the swing of things and seem to be plating a decent amount of pancakes — but will they meet the judges’ standards? Time expires and it’s time for the final judgement.
8:20 p.m. — After scanning all the plates, Alfred & Remy completed the most plates with 17, but only seven met the standard. Bryson & Asher created 14 stacks and nine passed the test. Jordyn & Michael completed 14 stacks and 10 are up to standard. That means Jordyn & Michael have won this challenge and head up to the balcony. They are safe for the night. For an additional prize, they get to blast two judges of their choosing with pancake toppings. They choose to smear Gordon and Aarón.
8:30 p.m. — The four remaining junior chefs will now have to make delicious ice cream desserts. They have 75 minutes to make a fully composed dish. The loser of this challenge will be eliminated tonight. The time starts now! Alfred admits he’s worried because he’s never made ice cream before. Asher decides to make a “campfire” inspired dish because camping is one of his favorite activities to do with his family. Despite not ever making ice cream, Alfred’s grandparents own a dairy farm and he’s comfortable with dairy products, so he’s hoping he can pull a rabbit out of the hat here. With 60 minutes remaining on the clock, Gordon urges the contestants to start freezing their ice creams. They’ll use liquid nitrogen to speed up the process.
8:45 p.m. — The judges are surprised to see Remy using potato chips in her ice cream. They’re actually a little excited to taste it, especially Tilly. Meanwhile, Bryson begin to panic when his pecans burn. He doesn’t have time to restart them and he’s worried this could be the mistake that sends him home. He picks out the best ones he can find and hopes they don’t bring the entire dish down. Over at Asher’s station, Daphne and Aarón snag a sample of his ice cream and can’t believe how delicious it tastes. It’s a Roasted Marshmallow Vanilla ice cream and they plan on stealing this recipe for themselves. With the clock winding down, all the junior chefs get their ice cream out of the blast chiller and onto the plate. Let’s check out these desserts!
8:47 p.m. — Remy has made Peanut Butter Chocolate Ice Cream with Peanut Butter Skillet Cookie, Whipped Cream and Chocolate & Peanut Butter Ganache. Tilly calls it “a fun take on an ice cream sandwich.” Gordon thinks the ice cream is delicious, but the cookie could be cooked 2-3 minutes less. Daphne would have left off the ganache, but thinks Remy has “outdone herself.”
8:49 p.m. — Alfred has made Corn Flake-Crusted Pecan Ice Cream with Spicy Honey Sauce, Brulee Bananas and Whipped Cream. Aarón says it looks “interesting” and has good texture. Tilly loves the corn flakes to counterbalance the sweetness. Aarón thinks the spicy honey takes over, but the ice cream is a home run. Gordon thinks there are too many components on the plate.
8:51 p.m. — Asher has made Marshmallow Ice Cream with Chocolate Ganache, Roasted Strawberries, Chocolate Cake and Graham Cracker Crumble. Daphne says the ice cream is one of the best she’s ever tasted. Aarón loves the creativity and how Asher elevated a campfire dessert. Gordon can’t believe an eight-year-old came up with this dish.
8:56 p.m. — Bryson has made Pecan Ice Cream with Peach Compote, Cornbread and Caramelized Pecan Topping. Tilly says it looks hearty and delicious. Gordon asks, “Why cornbread?” Bryson simply responds, “In the South, you have to have cornbread.” Still, Gordon says he’s disappointed with this dessert. Just kidding! “I’m disappointed you Dad can’t taste it, because it’s delicious,” he adds. Aarón loves the caramelization on the peaches and calls it “unbelievable.” Daphne doesn’t mind that the pecans are a little burnt, and says he can just say they’re “smoked.”
9:02 p.m. — After a long day and two challenges, it’s time for one junior chef to go home. The top two ice cream dishes were made by Bryson and Asher. They join Jordyn and Michael in the Top 5. That just leaves Remy and Alfred. Both of their desserts fell short tonight, but the young cook leaving is Alfred. Remy will head up to the balcony and complete the Top 5. Alfred begins to cry with tears of disappointment, but nobody is weeping more than Aarón, which is typical for the softie judge. The always hilarious leaves with some parting words: “I have learned that I am a good cook and not an idiot sandwich.” I’ll miss that kid!