Chopped Junior Season 2 Episode 7 Trail Mix and Match

In the seventh episode of season 2 of Chopped Junior, titled "Trail Mix and Match," four young chefs compete to create delicious and inventive dishes using a basket of mystery ingredients. The contestants, who range in age from nine to thirteen, are challenged to use trail mix in each of their dishes, along with a variety of other ingredients.

The show begins with host Ted Allen introducing the four competitors and the judges for the episode, including chefs Chris Santos and Amanda Freitag and actress Zooey Deschanel. Ted then unveils the mystery basket, which contains items such as pork chops, cornmeal, green beans, and of course, various types of trail mix.

The contestants have just 30 minutes to prepare an appetizer using these ingredients, and they quickly get to work. We see them chopping vegetables, seasoning meat, and brainstorming creative ways to use the trail mix. The judges watch closely as the chefs work, occasionally asking questions or offering advice.

As time runs out, the young chefs rush to plate their dishes and present them to the judges. We see a range of creative and impressive appetizers, from a trail mix-crusted pork chop with a trail mix salsa to a grilled vegetable salad with trail mix croutons. The judges taste and evaluate each dish, taking note of presentation, flavor, and creativity.

Next up is the entree round, and the contestants are given a new basket of ingredients to work with: chicken breasts, blue corn tortilla chips, mushrooms, and trail mix. They again have just 30 minutes to prepare a dish, and we see them working quickly but carefully to incorporate all the ingredients and create something delicious.

The judges continue to offer feedback and guidance throughout the cooking process, and we see them taste and evaluate the dishes once they're plated. We see a range of entrees, from a blue corn tortilla-crusted chicken breast with trail mix stuffing to a sauteed mushroom and chicken dish with a trail mix sauce.

Finally, it's time for the dessert round, and the contestants are given a new basket of ingredients which includes strawberries, raspberries, pound cake, and trail mix. They have just 30 minutes to create a sweet and tasty dish using these ingredients, and we see them rushing to chop fruit, mix berries, and bake cake.

The judges watch closely as the chefs work, occasionally offering words of encouragement or advice. We see a range of creative and delicious desserts, from a pound cake and berry parfait with a trail mix crumble to a raspberry and trail mix-stuffed crepe.

In the end, the judges gather to evaluate all three courses and determine which young chef will be named the winner of the episode. They consider factors such as presentation, flavor, and creativity, and ultimately choose the contestant who best impressed them in each round. The winner is awarded a prize and the bragging rights of being a Chopped Junior champion.

Overall, "Trail Mix and Match" is a fun and exciting episode of Chopped Junior that showcases the skills and creativity of young chefs. With its mix of mystery ingredients, time limits, and tough judges, the show is a thrilling competition that's sure to leave viewers hungry for more.