Warning: Spoilers ahead
After landing in the bottom three on last week’s episode, South Loop student Evan Robinson quickly redeemed himself on Thursday’s episode of “MasterChef Junior.”
The Hyde Park resident and the 11 other competitors were split into four groups of three for a skills challenge. The contestants were tasked with making as many cream pies as possible in 10 minutes.
Evan was on the brown team with Georgia competitors Afnan Ahmad and Justise Mayberry, while Lincoln Park student Avani Shah was paired with Georgia resident Jasmine Stewart and Californian Adam Wadhwani on the red team.
The brown team won the challenge with 14 pies, and Evan, Afnan and Justise were allowed to smash pies in the faces of judges Gordon Ramsay and Christina Tosi and guest judge Richard Blais. They were also safe from elimination.
The remaining nine contestants were given a blow torch and told to make an appetizer, entree or dessert in the elimination challenge.
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Avani, who said she had never used a blow torch, made a chocolate ganache tart with graham cracker crust and caramelized pecans and bananas.
Tosi effused praise and Avani was named the challenge winner.
“It’s delicious,” Tosi said. “The stars are those torched marshmallows, the bruleed bananas, those toasted pecans. That graham cracker crust is perfectly buttery. I think this is an elegant dish, and the best one we’ve seen from you yet.”
Said Ramsay: “Here’s the thing, delicious. You’re the youngest, right now, one of the strongest. Great job! Amazing.”
Jasmine and Wisconsinite Syd Neuser were sent home for dishes that didn’t incorporate enough blow torch technique.
Ten contestants remain on Season 5 of “MasterChef Junior,” but a preview of next week’s episode shows some eliminated contestants, including Edgebrook student Charlie Hans, battling to get back into the competition. The series airs 7 p.m. Thursdays on Fox. The winner gets $100,000.
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