Ep 5. Fungi Times

In Chopped Junior season 1 episode 5, titled Fungi Times, the young contestants are faced with a unique mystery basket filled with various types of mushrooms. The young chefs are given 30 minutes to prepare an appetizer using all the ingredients provided in the basket.

As the clock ticks down, the contestants frantically chop, sauté, and plate their dishes, hoping to impress the judges with their culinary skills. Chef Maneet Chauhan, Chef Chris Santos, and actor-model Camila Alves serve as judges for the competition.

The appetizer round is a tough one, with a variety of mushrooms challenging the contestants to get creative with their flavor combinations. Some of the dishes presented include mushroom crostinis with a garlic cheese spread, a mushroom and bacon quiche, and a sautéed mushroom and herb tart.

In the second round, the contestants must use ground beef and pickles in their entree dishes. The young chefs are given 45 minutes to prepare their dishes, with the judges looking for creativity, taste, and presentation.

The entree round proves to be just as challenging as the appetizer round, with the young chefs having to balance the strong flavors of the beef and pickles. Some of the dishes presented include a chili cheeseburger with a pickle relish, a beef and pickle quesadilla, and a spicy beef and pickle stir-fry.

In the final round, the remaining two contestants must use peanut butter and jelly in their dessert dishes. The young chefs are given 30 minutes to prepare their dishes, with the judges looking for a dish that balances the sweetness of the jelly with the nuttiness of the peanut butter.

The final round is the most creative one, with the young chefs pulling out all the stops to impress the judges with their unique dessert dishes. Some of the dishes presented include a peanut butter and jelly ice cream sundae, a peanut butter and jelly cake with raspberry cream filling, and a peanut butter and jelly tart with a chocolate crust.

After a difficult deliberation, the judges crown the winner of the Fungi Times episode. The young chef who impressed the judges the most with their creative dishes and skillful flavor combinations takes home the coveted title of Chopped Junior champion.