Warning: Spoilers ahead
Chef Graham Elliot may want to consider giving Evan Robinson a job at Lollapalooza since the South Loop student clearly knows his way around a corn dog.
Evan was one of six contestants who drew straws to compete in the first challenge on Thursday’s episode of “MasterChef Junior.” The young chefs were split into three pairs and tasked with battering and frying corn dogs.
Evan, who lives in Hyde Park, worried about working well with his partner, Justise Mayberry.
“Our stategy is communicating together and making sure every corn dog is perfect,” he said.
The pair served 13 spot-on corn dogs and won the challenge to automatically advance to the next round of the Fox competition. The remaining 16 contestants had 45 minutes to make a vegan burger and side dish for vegan guest judge Mayim Bialik, who stars on “The Big Bang Theory.”
River North resident Avani Shah put onions, brussels sprouts and corn in her burger patty, which was served with coleslaw dressed with an apple vinaigrette.
Bialik said she couldn’t recall ever having a burger with brussels sprouts, but she and judge Christina Tosi dinged Avani for raw spices and chickpeas. Tosi said Avani should have paid more attention to the details of her dish.
North Sider Charlie Hans’ burger was not shown. The Edgebrook student has not gotten much screen time this season.
Avani was in the bottom four of Thursday’s episode. Two contestants, Eddie Levine and Sam Brock, were sent home.
Sixteen cooks remain on Season 5 of “MasterChef Junior,” which airs 7 p.m. Thursdays. The winner gets $100,000.
