UNIVERSAL KIDS' “TOP CHEF JUNIOR” CROWNS 14 YEAR OLD OWEN PEREIRA AS SEASON ONE WINNER
By: Robert Diamond Feb. 03, 2018
Universal Kids, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment's network for kids 2-12, crowned 14 year-old Chef Owen Pereira (Baltimore, MD) as the first ever TOP CHEF Junior winner last night after a gastronomic showdown. THE RUNNER-UP was 13 year-old Rahanna Bisseret Martinez from Oakland, CA. The culinary kid drama, based on Bravo Media's critically acclaimed and Emmy-award winning competition series Top Chef, featured twelve chefs ages 11-14 from across the country.
Top Chef Junior will premiere Season 2 in summer 2018 on Universal Kids with the return of host Vanessa Lachey, head judge Curtis Stone and recurring guest judges Tiffany Derry and Graham Elliot.
"These young chefs were incredible all season long, cooking their hearts out and giving even seasoned chefs like myself a run for our money with their talent," said TOP CHEF Junior head judge Curtis Stone. "Owen has shown incredible talent all season long and we're so proud to name him the first ever 'Top Chef Junior.'"
The season finale brought Owen and Rahanna in a head-to-head challenge comprised of cooking a three course meal representing their past, present, and future. TOP CHEF winner Brooke Williamson and alumn Shirley Chung along with fellow TOP CHEF Junior season 1 contestants Henry and Milo served as the sous chefs for the finalists.
The meal was judged by special guests including two-Michelin star chef Josiah Citrin, chef Richard Blais, recurring guest judges Gail Simmons, Tiffany Derry, and Antonia Lofaso, as well as host Vanessa Lachey and head judge Curtis Stone. In a close deliberation, Owen was awarded the coveted title of "Top Chef Junior" and a $50,000 cash prize.
Chef Owen began cooking at around three years old after watching his mom in the kitchen. Throughout the season, Owen battled it out in Top Chef-inspired classic competitions like Quickfires, Restaurant Wars, as well as new kid-friendly challenges exclusive to TOP CHEF Junior. Since being crowned TOP CHEF Junior, Owen hopes to work his way up the food chain and one day own a three Michelin star modern new American restaurant with French influence with fellow TOP CHEF Junior contestant Henry.
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