Today, Gordon Ramsay is a force to reckon with in both the culinary world and the entertainment world. In fact, we can think of five top reasons why he's television’s best chef. Over the years, Ramsay launched several shows on FOX.
Among them is MasterChef, a hit show that has had 10 winners, so far. Later on, Ramsay also launched a MasterChef Junior where budding chefs between the ages of eight to 13 are the stars. So far, the show has run for seven seasons. And over the years, it introduced some talented and memorable contestants.
Alexander Weiss
Weiss has the honor of becoming the first-ever MasterChef Junior winner way back in 2013. Throughout the competition, Ramsay was impressed by this young man, even referring to him as “Julia Child’s long lost grandson.” We’re quite convinced that Weiss is related to Child too. After all, one of the things that Child disapproves of is being a quitter and that’s also something that Weiss refuses to become. Since winning the MasterChef Junior title, Weiss has remained busy in the kitchen. That said, he also told Huffington Post, “Anytime I cook now, unfortunately, there’s a lot of pressure.”
Jasmine Stewart
In winning MasterChef Junior, Stewart made history as the first African-American contestant to take the title. Now, Ramsay may be famous for some of his most iconic insults on Hell’s Kitchen. However, Stewart says that Ramsay is nothing like that when he’s around MasterChef Junior contestants. “Honestly, he is one of the nicest celebrities I have ever met, but a lot of people think he is mean,” the young chef told Cuisine Noir. “They find it interesting when I tell them he is really sweet.” Since taking the title, Stewart says she’s also gotten better at time management.
Matthew Smith
Smith may not have taken the title of MasterChef Junior but he is certainly one of the most memorable contestants the show has had to date. Smith was among the youngest contestants to compete, but he nonetheless showed that he was capable of whipping up some delicious meals.
Following his time in the competition, Smith went back home and kept cooking. During an interview with the Rachael Ray Show, he also revealed his plans to open a farm-to-table restaurant when he gets older. Smith said he also enjoys cooking filet mignon.
Andrew Zappley
Zappley went on to compete in the finale during the show’s third season. Unfortunately, he didn’t end up winning the title. This might be because undercooked his beef cheeks ravioli in the final main course round. Since joining the competition though, Zappley has become a lot more confident. In fact, he’s been more than ready to admit that he’s been crushing on Ramsay’s youngest daughter, Matilda Ramsay. He even told Courier Post, “If Gordon Ramsay walked in the door right now, I'd ask for his daughter's number.”
Reid Briggs
If you’ve been following the show, you may recall that Briggs was the contestant who ended up burning his finger during one competition. As it turns out, his wound was worse than everyone thought. “People don’t realize how bad it was,” Brigg’s mother, Ginger, told The Newnan Times-Herald. “He’s still trying to get over it.” Despite the pain, Briggs carried on with the competition until he eventually got eliminated. Today, Briggs still enjoys cooking. He especially enjoys grilling meat and making biscuits, as evidenced by his Instagram page.
Addison Osta Smith
Smith has the honor of becoming the first female contestant to take home the MasterChef Junior title. She also happens to be the youngest winner the show has ever had. Since taking home the title, Smith had gone on to star in the pilot of ABC’s Dream Team.
More recently, she has also joined the cast of Dancing with the Stars where she is partnered with Lev Cameron and mentored by Keo Motsepe. As you may have expected, Chicago Tribune confirmed that Smith had cooked for her team during their first meeting.
Beni Cwiakala
Cwiakala went on to win the sixth season of MasterChef Junior. As you know, winning the title also means taking home a $100,000 cash prize. And even she won’t have access to the funds until she’s 18, Cwiakala revealed that she already knew how to spend the money. “What I will do with $100,000 is save some to buy a food truck,” Cwiakala revealed while speaking with Parade. “That’s my big goal.” Aside from this, she also said that she plans to use what’s left of the money for college.
Malia Brauer
Whereas MasterChef has winners, losers, and villains, MasterChef Junior only features chefs who go on to be very good friends. In fact, one of the season seven runner-ups, Brauer, has nothing but praise for season seven winner, Che Spiotta. In fact, following the finale, Brauer spoke with Daily News and explained, “His overall meal was all gluten-free, and I thought that was really cool even though I was competing against him.” Brauer added, “I felt happy for him.” As for her future plans, Brauer told Elite Magazine that she wants to become a nurse or start a catering business.
Nathan Odom
Clearly, MasterChef Junior is one of the foodie shows to stream if you love the Food Network. Every season, you meet children who cook as impressively as professionals. Among them is season three winner Odom. Since taking home the title, he’s become a celebrity chef in his own right. He’s also figured out some big culinary dreams for himself. While speaking with The San Diego Union-Tribune, “I’d love to open up maybe a small café in San Diego or Japan when I grow up.” During a Reddit AMA, Odom also revealed that he stayed in Japan for a year.
Ivy Angst
Angst had been a finalist during the show’s seventh season. Unlike the other children, Angst suffers from achondroplasia, which may pose some physical challenges in the kitchen. Nonetheless, this young chef didn’t let that stop her from making incredible dishes. And whereas Ramsay was hurling brutal insults on Hell’s Kitchen, the celebrity chef was very supportive of Angst. In one episode, Ramsay can be heard telling her, “You are cooking with no fear. You’re tiny, you’re powerful and you’re very talented.” Since her time on the show, Angst has kept cooking.