Ep 1. Chicken and Do-Nots

The popular cooking competition show, Chopped Junior, returns for its fifth season with an exciting premiere episode titled "Chicken and Do-Nots." In this episode, a new group of talented young chefs, ages 9 to 15, face off against one another in a fierce battle to see who can create the best dishes using a variety of mystery ingredients.

As always, the stakes are high as each contestant is given only 30 minutes to whip up a meal that will impress the judges. With a theme centered around poultry, the chefs must utilize different parts of the chicken to create four distinct courses: an appetizer, entrée, side dish, and dessert. But there's a catch: they must also avoid using certain "do-not" items, which can range from common pantry staples to more obscure ingredients.

As the timer starts, the young chefs rush to gather their ingredients and start cooking. The first round proves to be challenging as the appetizer course requires the use of chicken liver, a divisive ingredient that can be difficult to work with. With just a few minutes left on the clock, some of the contestants struggle to plate their dishes while others manage to pull together impressive combinations of flavors and textures.

Moving on to the entrée round, the chefs must incorporate chicken thighs, a versatile but tricky ingredient that requires the right balance of seasoning and cooking time to bring out its flavor. Those who choose to use other parts of the chicken, such as the breast or wing, risk being penalized by the judges for not following the rules. As the chefs race against the clock, tensions start to rise with a few of the contestants feeling the pressure of the competition.

By the time the side dish round rolls around, the young chefs have settled into a rhythm and are more confident with their cooking abilities. But with the addition of the "do-not" items, their creativity is put to the test. Some struggle to find substitutes for common ingredients like garlic and onions while others rise to the challenge by using unconventional flavorings like anchovies and capers.

Finally, the dessert round arrives, and the pressure is at an all-time high as the chefs aim to impress the judges with their sweet creations. Using chicken fat as a featured ingredient, the contestants must craft desserts that are not only visually appealing but also delicious. Some opt for classic flavors like chocolate and caramel, while others think outside the box with fruity or savory pairings.

As the judges take a bite of each dish, the tension in the room is palpable. They are looking for the perfect balance of flavors, textures and presentation, and any misstep could cost a contestant their spot in the competition. In the end, only one young chef will be named the winner of the "Chicken and Do-Nots" episode, receiving a cash prize and a coveted mantle of being crowned a Chopped Junior champion.

With exciting challenges and a new group of talented young chefs, season 5 of Chopped Junior promises to be an engaging and entertaining watch for foodies of all ages.