JUNIOR CHEFS TAKE A SEAT AT THE JUDGES' TABLE FOR FIRST-EVER "CHOPPED JUNIOR: MAKE ME A JUDGE TOURNAMENT"

Four-Part Stunt Premieres Wednesday, March 8th at 8pm ET/PT on Food Network

Twelve Junior Chefs Compete to Become Judges for Charity

NEW YORK - January 31, 2017 - Talented junior chefs from across the country compete for a chance to sit at the judges' table and give the Chopped judges a taste of their own medicine, in the first-ever Chopped Junior: Make Me a Judge tournament, premiering Wednesday, March 8th at 8pm ET/PT on Food Network. In the three preliminary-themed heats, the twelve junior chefs compete to create unique and delectable dishes over three rounds - appetizer, entrée, and dessert - as they are judged by a rotating panel of Chopped judges. The winner of each episode receives $10,000 and advances to the finale where they join host Ted Allen at the judges' table and get to decide the fates of Chopped stars Amanda Freitag, Alex Guarnaschelli, Marcus Samuelsson and Chris Santos, as these world-class chefs serve up their dishes to earn the approval of the junior chefs for bragging rights and $25,000 for the winner's charity of choice.

Check out more Chopped Junior at FoodNetwork.com and join the conversation with #ChoppedJunior.

Episodes Include:

Premiering Wednesday, March 8th at 8pm ET/PT - TOURNAMENT PREMIERE! "Make Me a Judge: Episode 1" In the first competition, a burger theme shapes what the kids must cook. In the appetizer round, the junior chefs must use an unusual popsicle and a small egg delicacy. The entrée round delivers straight forward burger meat but with a sweet oniony condiment. The remaining junior chefs must figure out how to make burger-inspired desserts using a cured meat ingredient and fresh fruit. Host: Ted Allen Judges: Amanda Freitag, Alex Guarnaschelli, Marc Murphy

Premiering Wednesday, March 15th at 8pm ET/PT "Make Me a Judge: Episode 2" The excitement continues as four eager young cooks compete for a chance to become a judge in the finale. This competition is all about BBQ, and the group has to work with a different BBQ sauce in each round. In the appetizer basket, the junior chefs must transform cookies and a slimy vegetable into delicious starters. A pork product must be paired with fresh greens in the entrée course. Then the finalists struggle to place cheese in their desserts! Host: Ted Allen Judges: Maneet Chauhan, Alex Guarnaschelli, Chris Santos

Premiering Wednesday, March 22nd at 8pm ET/PT "Make Me a Judge: Episode 3" The third and final seat at the judges' table is up for grabs! Four precocious junior chefs tackle the mystery baskets with a baking theme in effect. The appetizer basket reveals a South American sausage and a baked cheesy treat. The young cooks are surprised to find their protein in whole-animal form in the entrée round, and the finalists must transform a tart berry and colorful cookie dough into delicious desserts. Host: Ted Allen Judges: Scott Conant, Amanda Freitag, Alex Guarnschelli

Premiering Wednesday, March 29th at 8pm ET/PT - TOURNAMENT FINALE! "Make Me a Judge: Finale" Three Chopped Junior champions are taking a seat at the chopping block, as four regular Chopped judges compete for $25,000 for charity. The chefs are cooking with some of the same ingredients that the junior chefs used but with a few shocking twists, starting with cured fish roe in the appetizer basket. The entrée basket contains some familiar BBQ ingredients, and the chefs must also incorporate an elaborate gelatin creation. The dessert basket turns into an ice cream show down, and the remaining two chefs must cook with ears! Host: Ted Allen Competitors: Amanda Freitag, Alex Guarnaschelli, Marcus Samuelsson, Chris Santos

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