'MasterChef Junior' winners: Where are they now? Young chefs have opened their own restaurants after success on Fox show
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'MasterChef Junior' Season 9 is already on the horizon! The upcoming season of Fox's beloved cooking show is set to premiere on March 4, 2024, at 8 pm ET only on Fox. Since its debut in 2013, 'MasterChef Junior' has been a beloved cooking show providing a platform for exceptionally talented kids to showcase their culinary skills, ranging from flambeing to sauteing and beyond.
Guided by the discerning palates of renowned chefs Gordon Ramsay, Aaron Sanchez, and Daphne Oz the show has played a pivotal role in launching the culinary careers of many young contestants. Former participants have gone on to make significant strides in the culinary world, relentlessly honing their skills and pursuing dreams of culinary greatness.
Some of the winners of the show are still actively pursuing their passion for cooking as adults, while others have chosen to explore different career paths outside of the culinary world. Let's take a closer look at what some of the show's past champions are currently up to in their lives.
Alexander Weiss
Alexander Weiss, the winner of 'MasterChef Junior' in 2013, has since become a prominent figure in the culinary world. Following his victory, Weiss established Dinners by Alexander, offering a diverse range of delightful dining experiences in the vibrant city of New York.
Eager to enhance his culinary skills and expand his knowledge, Weiss embarked on a rigorous educational journey at the esteemed Culinary Institute of America. During this time, he took advantage of an internship opportunity at the prestigious Bar at Blackberry Farm, a restaurant honored with the esteemed James Beard Award, gaining valuable hands-on experience and learning from industry experts.
Beyond the bustling streets of New York, Weiss extended his culinary expertise to California, where he gained recognition as a private chef, catering to the discerning palates of numerous clients. Adding to his achievements, Weiss was honored with an invitation to serve as a distinguished guest judge on the eighth season of the immensely popular culinary competition, 'MasterChef Junior.'
Logan Guleff
In 2014, at the young age of 11, Logan Guleff won the second season of 'MasterChef Junior.' Recognized for his culinary skills and creativity, he was later honored as the Best New Chef by Southern Living at the age of 13. Along with this, Guleff was included in Time magazine's prestigious list of Most Influential Teens just a year after his MasterChef triumph. At the young age of 15, he delivered a TEDx talk titled "The Art of the Flavor," showcasing his expertise and passion for the culinary arts.
In 2021, the 'MasterChef Junior' winner took the initiative to join Pepperdine University, where he pursued his studies. Then, he took on a significant role as a Youth Advisor for City Harvest, an esteemed nonprofit organization in New York City that strives tirelessly to eradicate hunger in the bustling metropolis. Demonstrating his innovative and pioneering spirit, he also made history by becoming the very first chef to introduce a virtual dining experience in the form of a non-fungible token (NFT).
Nathan Odom
After his victory on 'MasterChef Junior' Season 3 at the age of 12, Nathan Odom delved deep into the world of Japanese cuisine. He boldly decided to relocate to Japan for nearly two years to apprentice under a highly esteemed 3 Michelin star chef. Upon returning to his hometown of San Diego in the autumn of 2021, Nathan wasted no time establishing his culinary venture, Restaurant Neo, specializing in private dining experiences and catering services. Unfortunately, the venture came to an end the following year. When he's not exerting his expertise in the kitchen, he dedicates his time to enhancing his talents in other areas such as acquiring proficiency in playing a multitude of musical instruments and crafting exquisite leather handbags.
Addison Osta Smith
Addison Osta Smith made history as the first female winner of 'MasterChef Junior' and has since expanded her television career by competing on 'Dancing With the Stars: Juniors' and 'MasterChef Junior: Celebrity Showdown.' She achieved this feat at the age of 10, making her the youngest winner of 'MasterChef Junior' at that time.
While her cooking account has not been active since 2019, she remains active on TikTok, where she regularly shares updates with her followers. It is worth noting that she now shares the title of youngest 'MasterChef Junior' winner with Beni Cwiakala from Season 6 and Liya Chu from Season 8.
Jasmine Stewart
Jasmine Stewart is known for her infectious energy and delicious pineapple upside-down cake, which have left a lasting impression on the 'MasterChef Junior' kitchen. Not only was she the first contestant to ever win after being eliminated, but she has also gone on to achieve even more success.
From touring with 'MasterChef Junior' Live to participate in the #AtHomeWith series, Stewart has proven herself to be a talented and versatile culinary artist. Additionally, she has taken her passion for empowering girls and motivational speaking to the next level by creating her own company, JustJas, LLC. Overall, Stewart's impact on the culinary world and beyond is truly inspiring.
Beni Cwiakala
Beni Cwiakala, the champion of 'MasterChef Junior' Season 6, became known for her fearless demeanor and willingness to take risks in the kitchen. Following her victory, she has continued to showcase her culinary talents on the show, while also branching out into other ventures.
On her Instagram account, she now hosts a series called 'A Cook With Books' where she reviews books live. In addition to this, she also used her platform to raise funds for struggling restaurants by hosting a live cooking demonstration fundraiser in the year 2021.
Che Spiotta
After winning the title of champion on 'MasterChef Junior', Che Spiotta has transitioned his culinary skills to the popular social media platform TikTok, where he showcases his cooking prowess. Known for his expertise in gluten-free cooking, Spiotta participated in MasterChef's #AtHomeWith series last year, where he shared his recipe for black bean soup.
Apart from this, Che has made several appearances on various cooking shows such as 'The Chin Twins' and has generously hosted virtual cooking classes on Zoom to raise funds for charitable causes.
Liya Chu
Liya Chu, who was raised in her family's Taiwanese restaurant in New York, utilized her deep connection to her Asian heritage and upbringing to create remarkable dishes that ultimately led her to claim the winner's title of 'MasterChef Junior' at the tender age of 10.
Following her victory on 'MasterChef Junior', Chu embarked on a whirlwind tour alongside her fellow contestants from the memorable eighth season. Today, she remains committed to showcasing her exceptional culinary talents through her Instagram page, where she graciously imparts her knowledge and passion for cooking to her ever-growing audience.