MasterChef Junior episode recap S7E2: Going Bananas

This MasterChef Junior episode recap sees the judges made into a three-scoop dessert. Will Gordon Ramsay’s hair ever be the same?

In this MasterChef Junior episode recap, with a narrowed but still  a whopping field of twenty-two mini chefs, we begin with a team challenge. The kids will compete in teams of four to make as many perfect banana splits as possible in fifteen minutes. Sounds easy, right? But, not only do they have to make sure each split is without flaw, they have to do they whole thing while tied at the ankles to each other.

The kids split into teams by picking bananas. Most of the bananas have stickers on them, with the color designating your team. Other bananas are sticker free, and these lucky kids get a pass to the balcony. Each team is assigned a judge and the winning team spares their judge from a sticky fate.

MASTERCHEF JUNIOR: L-R: Host / judge Gordon Ramsay with judges Christina Tosi and Aarón Sanchez in the “Junior Edition: New Kids on the Block / Going Bananas” special two-hour season premiere episode of MASTERCHEF airing Tuesday, March 12 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. © 2019 FOX Broadcasting. CR: FOX.

In general, the kids do fairly well in getting organized. I am amused at the times that they fail to communicate, such as when one poor girl is left doing the splits (ha,ha) as the team members tied to her ankles go off in different directions.

After fifteen minutes, the desserts are judged and Christina’s team has won the challenge. All three judges stand on stage as two huge banana halves descend and surround them. Following that are giant nozzles ready to dispense sauce and cream. First Gordon, then Aaron, then Christina, despite her team win, get covered in chocolate sauce and cream. The kids then pelt them with sprinkles and Christina finishes the sundae by giving Gordon a huge cherry to wear as a hat.

MASTERCHEF JUNIOR: Host / judge Gordon Ramsay (C) with judges Christina Tosi (L) and Aarón Sanchez (R) in the “Junior Edition: New Kids on the Block / Going Bananas” special two-hour season premiere episode of MASTERCHEF airing Tuesday, March 12 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. © 2019 FOX Broadcasting. CR: FOX.

The judges goop their way off stage and immediately reappear clean and coiffed. I do wonder how long production really took to clean up that mess and get the judges back through hair and makeup. In any case, we are on to the elimination challenge.

The winning team is safe and joins the kids who are already on the balcony, leaving just eight young chefs to cook. The challenge is a tough one. They will each select a live lobster from a tank, kill and cook it, and prepare a dish of their choosing with the meat.

MASTERCHEF JUNIOR: L-R: Host / judge Gordon Ramsay with judges Christina Tosi and Aarón Sanchez in the “Junior Edition: New Kids on the Block / Going Bananas” special two-hour season premiere episode of MASTERCHEF airing Tuesday, March 12 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. © 2019 FOX Broadcasting. CR: FOX.

Surprisingly not squeamish, the kids immediately begin cooking with confidence and we see little drama as they focus on their dishes. Malia suffers a small cut but recovers. Thomas has the most trouble and can be seen struggling to complete his dish in the final moments.

Malia’s dish is up for judging first. She presents a lobster taco with sweet potato wedges, slaw, and avocado crema. She has cleverly propped her taco within her lobster shell and the judges enjoy the flavors of her taco. They do feel the sweet potato wedges don’t quite mesh with the taco, though.

Shannen also has a lobster taco but she fairs less well. She has accidentally over-processed her salsa so that it is basically a puree, and like Malia’s sweet potatoes, her carrot chips are considered an odd pairing with tacos.

Sadie, a winner from the first episode, continues to showcase her skill and versatility with her lobster cake with avocado, pickled onions, and tortilla chips. She has mixed her lobster with mayonnaise and dill to create a creamy layer for her cake. Gordon loves it.

Jayden has created lobster rangoons with a sweet and sour sauce which I think shows a high level of difficulty. He has folded his rangoons expertly but some are a little underdone and gummy, and his filling lacks lobster.

Brielle has made homemade pasta with fresh tomato sauce and lobster, another dish displaying a high level of skill. The judges enjoy everything but the cheese that she has added to the dish.

Thomas has managed to plate his lobster roll with fried jalepenos. However, he has far too many jalapenos on the dish, and though it is not mentioned, it looks like he also has too much bread.

Rhashad presents his Caribbean lobster with curry rice and coconut jerk sauce. While he made some poor choices in the first episode, failing to cook his meatloaf until prompted and adding burnt aromatics for color, he seems to have a clearer vision this round. His dish is well-liked, and I am impressed that he used lobster shell to enhance his sauce.

Finally, Kyle presents his lobster with orzo, roasted asparagus, and lemon beurre blanc. Unfortunately, he has left the tough ends on his asparagus and his pasta is plain.

Sadie proves she is one to watch when she is named the runner up. Malia’s lobster taco wins the day, though. Sadly, Shannen’s lobster taco has the opposite result and she as well as Thomas’ lobster roll go home.

We already have some front-runners but it will be interesting to see how the kids progress. Right now, there are so many cooks that we aren’t even getting to see them all cook, so there may be some real challengers yet to emerge. As much as I don’t like seeing any kids go home, it will be nice once they have narrowed it down to enough chefs for us to reasonably get to know them all. This looks to be an interesting season!