Chopped Junior

Creepy-crawly kabobs in the first basket kick things off on an adventurous note -- will the junior chefs find a good way to incorporate the bites of crunchy protein? In the entree round, the kids are happy to get fish fillets and a colorful cereal. Then, the young cooks must find creative ways to use some little sprinkles and a giant egg in their desserts. The judging panel features actors David Arquette and Jake Smollett and chef Scott Conant.

Chefs Tiffany Derry and Alex Guarnaschelli and actress Jennette McCurdy are on hand to judge this round of junior chefs, who must first deal with a peculiar hot dog pasta in their appetizer baskets. The odd combos continue in the second round with s'mores French fries, plus a difficult-to-prepare protein that is definitely new to the young cooks. Then, some adorable dumplings and some fancy fruit are two of the ingredients in the mix for dessert.

Four confident young cooks set out to make judges Alex Guarnaschelli, Sandra Lee and Laura Vitale a spectacular Thanksgiving meal. Pumpkin pie comes first as one of the mystery ingredients for the appetizer round. There's no turkey in the entree basket, but there are a lot of other traditional flavors. Then, some adorable cupcakes are at the center of a goody-filled final basket.

A new round of talented young cooks storms the kitchen to win over the judges, chefs Roble Ali and Marcus Samuelsson and blogger Rachel Hollis. First, they find some unusual gifts from the sea in the appetizer basket, and in the entree round, something sweet and something bitter in the basket make for a flavor-balancing act. Then, chocolate ravioli desserts prove to be a challenge in a hectic final round.

Ground beef and curly fries are familiar enough appetizer ingredients, but can the kid cooks stay focused enough to make creative choices and technically-excellent dishes? The junior chefs see seafood inside the second basket, then a cookie cup stuffed with something surprising must be incorporated in desserts. The judging panel features YouTube personality Justine "iJustine" Ezarik, food writer Alison Roman and chef Marcus Samuelsson.

'Tis the season for good times in the Chopped Junior Kitchen! The junior chefs are challenged to make a holiday meal for the judges, chefs Sandra Lee, Marc Murphy and Christian Petroni. The feast begins with duck and veggie appetizers, then stockings and wreaths made from common foods create a festive feel in the entree round. Finally, a lot of whimsy and sugar in the dessert basket keep the last two culinary elves happy and busy.

Some creatively-presented cheese and a spreadable protein are part of the round one challenge. A strange pink pickle and a crispy, house-made snack food keep the kids on their toes in the entree round, and in the dessert round, a marshmallow mishap has the judges -- chef Maneet Chauhan, TV host Daphne Oz and actor Tyrel Jackson Williams -- wishing they could jump in and help.

A new group of young competitors enter the kitchen and attempt to win over the judges, chefs Aaron Sanchez and Jet Tila and comedian Iliza Shlesinger. A super-cheesy sandwich is at the center of a puzzling appetizer basket, then in the second round, a root vegetable and a sweet Latin treat must find a place on the entree plates. The two kids lucky enough to make it all the way to the final round find a whimsical watermelon dessert in the baskets.

Four ambitious kids bring their cooking skills to the Chopped Kitchen as they try to impress chefs Lazarus Lynch and Marc Murphy and actor James Maslow. Ground beef and chocolate present a conundrum for the competitors in the first round. In the entree basket, an ingredient that looks like a giant baked potato is something else entirely, and a red, white and blue snack in the dessert basket is a patriotic potpourri for the finalists.

The judges, radio host Angie Martinez, actress Chelsea Peretti and chef Geoffrey Zakarian, watch to see what wild appetizer dishes the competitors will make with wildfire lettuce and fluke. Then, the remaining kids wonder why a beautiful lemon meringue pie must be found in the entree round but manage to find unique ways to use it. Finally, baking and ice cream are part of the plan for both competitors in the dessert round.

In the appetizer round, the young cooks get to find out if bok choy tastes better with bacon. An old-fashioned "pinwheel" protein stirs things up in the entree round. And cottage cheese for dessert? The junior chefs attempt to find a place for it in their final plates. Actress Maia Mitchell and chefs Marc Murphy and Luke Thomas serve as judges.

At an age when many kids have never even tasted lamb, the junior chefs competing must create dishes with it in round one. A creamy soup and a pretty pasta are two of the entree basket ingredients that the young cooks must conquer. Then, the judges -- chef Amanda Freitag, actor David Alan Grier and TV host Brandi Milloy -- fret over the gray color of the chia pudding in the dessert basket.