MasterChef Junior is the best new show of the season – and there’s just one episode left!

I don’t mind telling you that I’m a bit sad that my favorite new show of the fall is ending after only seven episodes. It’s also the best new reality show, but that’s easy, because there aren’t really any other notable ones. MasterChef Junior is a spin-off of the popular MasterChef series created and judged by angry, profane, and British super chef Gordon Ramsay, although versions of this kiddie variant already have aired in Australia and the UK. I’ve watched a bit of the other ones, but there are few too many country specific “celebrities” I don’t recognize to really get invested. That said, you need to watch this show! You can catch up before Friday on the MasterChef Junior website, but perhaps I should explain first. If you like cooking competition shows, I shouldn’t have to explain why you’ll like this one, so let’s focus on those who don’t watch these sorts of things.

The format is fast but effective, and although there were a lot of kidcheftestants to think about at first, very quickly a few very interesting and engaging personalities emerged. And shockingly enough, they are all exceptionally talented cooks, all between the ages of nine and thirteen! The oldest at that age is Alexander, who seems like he’d win the adult version with just a bit more experience; this kid is seriously impressive to watch, and it’s obvious how much he wants this — although they all do, of course. There’s also arrogant but talented California dude Troy (who’s apparently an aspiring actor), supremely talented Dara (talent belied by her set of differently colored giant plastic bow), ridiculously precocious nine year old Sarah (who needs a crate to reach the counter), and old soul Jack (with a Long Island accent and an endless supply of Hawaiian shirts). One of things that’s nice about this show, besides the easily recognizable and unique contestants, is that these kids are too young to be cynical or filled with guile. Even the frontrunner Alexander knows he’s not infallible and works hard every single time. And when a kid gets voted off, they cry a bit and you might a bit also. Unless you’re just made of stone.

The show has not had a single weak episode, which is helped by its lightning quick season. All of my favorites have made it far, and the challenges are a mix of classic cooking favorites and some great twists. Something like “unpleasant food” is par for the course for a bunch of adults, but when these kids get past their initial disgust, they learn legitimate cooking knowledge of how even the grossest food can be awesome when prepared right. And I have to say … when the kids took over a restaurant (seriously!), it’s no wonder the LA snob eaters burst into applause when they found out who actually cooked their food. That’ll be a story they can tell their less rich friends later! MasterChef Junior also shockingly has judges that provide reasonable, helpful criticism and actually seem to care about the kids. Watching Gordon Ramsay here, expressing sincerity and honesty, actually giving cooking tips and comforting kids when they screw up. It makes you realize that he’s not a terrible person, apparently. Everyone seems to be more decent in general here. Yes, although there may be a bit of sneakery and very mild trash talking around, they all support each other when they fail or when they succeed. And I will readily admit I’ve laughed multiple times per episode, which is unfortunately more than quite a few “comedies” out there.

I don’t want to spoil the outcomes or the episodes so far, but I will certainly talk about the finale to talk about what we’ve learned. Perhaps you may find yourself a bit humbled and awed by the capabilities of these young phenoms, but I hope instead you’ll merely be amazed at their potential. Keep an eye out for the frenetic gesticulations of Jack and the mugging of Sarah, which have not yet gotten tiresome or annoying. Man, I can’t wait for season two!