SCHOOL'S OUT FOR JUNIOR CHEFS IN NEW FOOD NETWORK STUNT "CHOPPED JUNIOR: CHAMPIONS"

Five-Part Tournament Premieres Tuesday, May 30th

Sixteen Returning Chopped Junior Winners Compete for $25,000 Grand Prize

NEW YORK - May 11, 2017 - Sixteen former Chopped Junior winners return to prove that they have what it takes to beat the odds and be victorious in Chopped Junior: Champions, premiering Tuesday, May 30th at 8pm ET/PT on Food Network. Hosted by Ted Allen, this five-part tournament includes four former Chopped Junior hot shots returning each episode to take on the mystery basket of ingredients through three rounds - appetizer, entrée, dessert - and create dishes that impress a rotating panel of judges, including Maneet Chauhan, Alex Guarnaschelli, Kristen Kish, Marc Murphy, Marcus Samuelsson, and Dale Talde. The winners from the individual heats will meet to compete in the grand finale on Tuesday, June 27th to determine which junior chef walks away as the first Grand Champion with a cash prize of $25,000 to jump start their dreams!

To catch up on the action, browse photo galleries of the top moments and watch video highlights, visit FoodNetwork.com/ChoppedJunior. Who do you think should be the first Chopped Junior Grand Champion? Tell us using #ChoppedJunior.

Episode's Include:

Premiering Tuesday, May 30th at 8:00pm ET/PT - TOURNAMENT PREMIERE! "Champions: Part 1" In the first battle of this five-part tournament, the champs get a French delicacy and a crunchy snack for the appetizer round. In the second round, one competitor has never cooked pork tenderloin before, but finds it in the entrée basket. Finally, the champs' pantry picks in the dessert round impact the judges' critiques. Host: Ted Allen Judges: Alex Guarnaschelli, Kristen Kish, Marcus Samuelsson

Premiering Tuesday, June 6th at 8:00pm ET/PT "Champions: Part 2" A new group of former junior champs compete to see who will advance to the $25,000 grand finale! An infamous Chopped ingredient appears in the appetizer basket; then steak could be a gift or a challenge for the kid cooks who make it to the entrée round. The junior chefs who get to make dessert must use a tangy fruit and a deep-fried treat. Host: Ted Allen Judges: Alex Guarnaschelli, Marc Murphy, Marcus Samuelsson

Premiering Tuesday, June 13th at 8:00pm ET/PT "Champions: Part 3" In the third preliminary battle, the youngest group of champions yet gets a delicate seafood and a tasty pork product in the appetizer round. Chocolates in disguise cause the junior chefs to do a double take when they open the entrée basket. Then, coffee with dessert makes sense but where will the competitors use chili flakes in their final sweet dishes? Host: Ted Allen Judges: Maneet Chauhan, Marc Murphy, Marcus Samuelsson

Premiering Tuesday, June 20th at 8:00pm ET/PT "Champions: Part 4" Four outstanding junior chefs compete to see who will earn the last spot in the grand finale. Some slender peppers and scrumptious rolls are part of the puzzle in the appetizer round. The junior chefs must figure out a way to make a guilty pleasure snack work in their venison entrees. And some serious mistakes in the dessert round leave the judges with much to consider. Host: Ted Allen Judges: Maneet Chauhan, Marc Murphy, Dale Talde

Premiering Tuesday, June 27th at 8:00pm ET/PT - TOURNAMENT FINALE! "Champions: Grand Finale" Four of the most talented Chopped Junior competitors have made their way to the finale to compete for a third win, the title and $25,000! The basket powers-that-be throw them a whopper of a first basket that includes a rather wild jerky and a protein that most Americans have never eaten. The entrée basket is a doozy as well, with cream puffs and a strange ketchup. Then, the final round of the tournament calls for some kid-friendly bubbly. Host: Ted Allen Judges: Maneet Chauhan, Marc Murphy, Marcus Samuelsson

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