Aarón Sánchez Previews What’s Cooking on ‘MasterChef Junior’ Season 8

Aarón Sánchez speaks of his childhood memories, growing up in New York City surrounded by beautiful food thanks to his mom and grandma. He fondly recalls making guacamole and pico de gallo for his elementary school class to represent his Mexican roots. “It was my way of saying, this is who I am,” the award-winning chef and cookbook author explains. 

These experiences flood back to him as he judges on MasterChef Junior. The show is getting ready to serve up its eighth season with the Top 16 vying for a trophy and $100,000. The decision-making process once again rests on the shoulders of Sánchez and Gordon Ramsay with Daphne Oz stepping into the junior chef kitchen for the first time. 

We caught up with Sánchez to see what’s cooking this season. 

How do you feel the competition measures up to past seasons?

Aarón Sánchez: I think the idea of these kids embracing food and having this unbelievable foundation at such an early age is most impressive. I think they are well prepared. I think their vocabulary about food is very deep. We’re working with 8- to 13-year-olds. Some of these kids at 10 years old have been cooking for five years. They’ve been making cupcakes, making breakfast for their mom and dad. They come in with a really good skillset surprisingly. I think with this particular batch we have a good amount of eight-year-olds which I’m so impressed with. They were not only prepared but their palates were developed, which I thought wouldn’t be the case. They know the difference between seasoning and acid and salt and all these things that are so important with food. 

Talk about the balance of being critical and constructive but also realizing these are kids are under an immense amount of pressure.

I have an 11-year-old, so I’m in that world a lot. I understand how to give positive reinforcement and be critical in a sense of providing ways they can improve. That’s the approach. We praise them. We also go in knowing if you give them a strong enough criticism, they are going to shut down….We’ve only had a few breakdowns, which is normal. As a whole, I think the kids walk away feeling positive instead of distraught. 

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What do you think of the challenges? There are some unique ones, from creating meals for a Renaissance Fair to even a WWE-themed episode.

[WWE superstar] Mr. Miz was up in the house. I love the idea of him being this tough guy but also breaking down and being silly and exposed to the kids. For us, cooking is competition. So the fact that The Miz and his colleague came was really cool because it showed being competitive can translate to many different fields. I think all of our guests come on with the understanding that we’re here to have fun, to teach and to critique at the end But it’s about them having fun and learning….We have a lot of fun things in store, taking the kids out of the MasterChef kitchen and putting them into scenarios where they will be challenged and feel uncomfortable. This only brings out the good stuff. I think the field challenges are going to make a lot of noise, and people will enjoy seeing it. 

Gordon’s daughter Tilly comes in for a donuts challenge. We know Gordon can be pretty intimidating and tough, but she kind of helps show a softer side.

He has that tough guy, very critical, intense sort of veneer, but if anyone knows, when Gordon is around his children he turns into the softest guy. A pudding pop like myself. He literally turns into a dad. It’s so beautiful to see. Tilly is so beautiful and smart. What I love about the way he interacts with all of his kids is there is no pressure. He never forces anything. They are just these beautiful individuals on their own who do their thing. It’s wonderful to see. 

Daphne is a new addition to the judging panel this season. What does she bring to the table in your eyes?

She is what you call super mom. She is going through the whole experience of being a first-time judge—and pregnant, by the way. She completely immersed herself in the whole process with challenges and teaching; and also, with her demos and her food. She is a very talented cook. That really took Gordon and me aback as professionals. She has such refinement and class. I love that.

You mentioned having an 11-year-old. Are we ever going to see your son on this show?

That’s a great question. Everyone just assumes that my kid is the son of a chef and that he is this adventurous eater. No, he likes chicken fingers and fries like the next kid. He is slowly starting to develop his love for the kitchen. But he is more of an artist and wants to make music and movies. That’s what he is doing right now, which I applaud. I love creativity and artistic expression in any way. 

A $100,000 prize is life-changing money for these kids. This can provide an enormous amount of opportunities for them.

I think even if you come in third, fourth or fifth, on the adult or children’s version of the show, they use that platform to start and launch their own businesses. This is the one catapulting moment in their life where it’s like, “Look, I have the exposure. Let me turn it into a cupcake business or cookies.” If they win money, I think a portion of those winnings should go to education. Then maybe an investment into their food dream. Whatever that is. 

Season 8 of MasterChef premiere, March 17, 8/7c, Fox