Ep 1. Sloppy Apps

In the season 3 premiere of Chopped Junior, young cooks between the ages of 9 and 15 compete in a challenge centered around sloppy appetizers. The contestants are given a mystery box containing a range of ingredients, from classic appetizer staples like mini sausages and jalapeno poppers to more unexpected items like popcorn and gummy worms. They have just 30 minutes to come up with a creative, cohesive dish that incorporates at least three of the mystery ingredients.

As the clock starts ticking, the young chefs dive into their baskets to start brainstorming. Some immediately zero in on certain ingredients, while others take a more experimental approach, sampling each item in turn to see how they might fit together. Judges Scott Conant, Amanda Freitag, and Marcus Samuelsson provide guidance and encouragement as the contestants prepare their dishes, but the pressure is on to create something truly delicious.

The first dish to be presented to the judges is a play on nachos, featuring a mix of cheese, beans, and tomato atop a bed of tortilla chips. Next up is a green curry shrimp taco, which impresses the judges with its blend of flavors and textures. The contestants continue to innovate, creating dishes like a buffalo chicken dip served with mini waffles and a dessert assortment featuring gummy worm popsicles and popcorn candy floss.

Throughout the competition, the young chefs display a remarkable level of maturity and skill. They are able to make thoughtful decisions about flavor combinations and cooking techniques, and they are unafraid to take risks with their dishes. Even when things don't go as planned, they remain calm and focused, determined to create something delicious. It's clear that each of these young cooks has a future in the culinary world if they choose to pursue it.

At the end of the round, the judges must make the difficult decision of who to send home. While each dish has its strengths, some contestants struggled to incorporate all of the mystery ingredients in a cohesive way. In the end, one young chef must pack up their knives and leave the competition, while the rest move on to the next round.

Sloppy Apps is a thrilling start to season 3 of Chopped Junior, showcasing the talent and creativity of young cooks who are sure to go far in the culinary world. With each round, the competition heats up, and the judges are constantly impressed by the skill level and innovation of the contestants. Fans of the show will not want to miss this exciting premiere.