Three smart and talented kids were cooking like skillful speed demons on Monday’s episode of “MasterChef Junior,” competing in the Season 9 grand finale.
Tensions were running high on the FOX reality series, but so were the cheers from a studio audience that included family and friends. The competition was ultra-heated — just like the fancy ovens in the “MasterChef” kitchen — because the judges had proclaimed the three finalists evenly matched. No clear front-runner had emerged during last week’s episode, the first installment of a two-part finale.
But when all was said and done, a single winner emerged: Alabama’s Bryson McGlynn, a 12-year-old grillmaster with strong ties to Auburn and Opelika.
The boy — who impressed the judges with his culinary know-how, innate food sense and respectful Southern charm — earned a trophy, kitchen appliances and gear, and a $100,000 prize. Bryson also has bragging rights as the season’s titleholder. He’s the first cook from Alabama to score a win on “MasterChef Junior,” and chef Gordon Ramsay emerged as one of Bryson’s biggest fans.
“Bryson, do you know what, young man, there’s one word that will define your time here in the ‘MasterChef’ kitchen,” Ramsay said, shortly before he announced the winner. “It’s respect for your cooking, and the respect you show everyone in this entire competition.”
If you didn’t watch Monday’s grand finale — or simply want a refresher on the “MasterChef” action — here’s what happened.
Alabama’s Bryson McGlynn cooked a three-course dinner on the two-part finale of “MasterChef Junior.” He was one of three contestants in the finals of Season 9.
Repping Alabama: Bryson is an Auburn resident who goes by the nickname of “Cheese Curd.” He’s a sixth-grader at Fox Run School in Opelika and the son of Mike and Shannon McGlynn. Bryson’s also a grilling specialist who competes in competitions with his father. (Mike, a Wisconsin native, earned the nickname “Cheese” when he moved to Alabama, and that prompted his son’s moniker.) Bryson hopes to be a chef one day and have his own food truck. Bryson’s parents were in the studio audience for the “MasterChef Junior” finale, along with two of his grandparents.
Competing with Bryson: Michael Seegobin, 11, of New Smyrna, Florida, and Remy Powell, 10, of Hollywood, Florida, also were in the finals. (Nine home cooks were eliminated on the show during previous episodes.) Throughout the season, Michael had wowed the judges with his confidence, ambition and calm demeanor. Remy had proved to be a sassy live wire in the kitchen, cooking with finesse and emphasizing her “girl power.”
How it worked: Four chefs served as judges on “MasterChef Junior” throughout the season. Along with head honcho Ramsay, the judging panel included Aaron Sanchez, Daphne Oz and Tilly Ramsay, Gordon Ramsay’s daughter. Weekly cooking challenges and eliminations trimmed the list of contestants until a single cook remained.
Last week: The junior cooks launched into three-course meals for the judges, starting with the appetizers. Bryson’s appetizer — marinated prawns with Creole hush puppies, rum marinade sauce and green tomato relish — was a success, and he moved on to the entree: Japanese Wagyu filet mignon with a red wine reduction, squash puree and confit turnips. The episode ended with his main dish still in the works, and a dessert course to follow.
Nervous Bryson: “I’m a little shaky right now, because I’ve cooked a lot of steaks, but not a $100,000 steak!” the boy said, contemplating the main course. “I’m a barbecue and grill master and I just want to make the South really, really proud.” Bryson realized that the cook on his steaks would be crucial, as Ramsay and the other chefs are partial to medium rare.
Alabama’s Bryson McGlynn, left, conferred with chef Gordon Ramsay as he cooked a three-course dinner on the two-part finale of “MasterChef Junior.” Bryson was one of three contestants in the finals of Season 9.
On Monday’s episode: Entrees from all three cooks were evaluated by the judges, and the kids moved on to dessert. The junior cooks had just 60 minutes to prepare each course, and they needed to make four of everything — serving each judge a separate dish to taste and review.
Confident Bryson: “I felt really comfortable doing this, because I stuck to my roots,” the boy said after his main course was finished. “I’m pretty sure I rocked it, and I’m just that much closer to the trophy.”
Final rave: “If you look at Bryson and you know, he’s a Southern barbecue meat carnivore, and then coming here and showing his elegance and his refinement, I thought, wow, what an evolution,” Sanchez said. “Very impressive.”
And the winner is: “You guys are three incredibly talented home cooks,” Ramsay said. “But only one of you can win it all. Right, the winner of ‘MasterChef Junior’ Season 9, congratulations goes to … Bryson!”
What happened next: Amid cheers, applause, plumes of fireworks and a shower of confetti, Bryson hugged his fellow contestants, then hugged his parents and the judges. The boy also began to cry, covering his face with his hands. “Goodness, you did it, man! Well done!” Ramsay said. “Bryson, you’re making me cry,” Oz said. “So proud of you!” Sanchez echoed that sentiment — “So proud!” — and handed Bryson his trophy. (Tilly Ramsay gave Bryson an envelope, as well, evidently containing a $100,000 check.) The cheers continued as Bryson held up his prizes, and Ramsay hyped the crowd. “Give it up for our ‘MasterChef Junior’ champion, Bryson, everybody!” Ramsay said.
What Bryson said: “I feel amazing! This is obviously a dream come true. I’m so excited right now. … I’m the next ‘MasterChef Junior’ champion!” His father chimed in, too. “We can’t be more proud (of) Bryson,” Mike McGlynn said. “Bryson, great job, bud.”
