Junior MasterChef’s season three premiere on Sunday night drew in half the ratings of its sister show MasterChef Australia’s season debut earlier this year.
The competitive children’s cooking series pulled in 524,000 metro viewers while MasterChef Australia saw 1.228m tune in for its April premiere with new judges Melissa Leong, Jock Zonfrillo and Andy Allen.
A Channel Ten spokesperson has revealed the network is satisfied with the early ratings as the season ‘will only continue to grow thanks to the amazing talents of their mini chefs’.
![Falling short: Junior MasterChef's season three premiere on Sunday night drew in half the ratings of its sister show MasterChef Australia's season debut earlier this year. Pictured are [L-R] Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo who are the judges on both shows](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/10/13/00/34315100-8833035-image-a-1_1602546597656.jpg)
Falling short: Junior MasterChef’s season three premiere on Sunday night drew in half the ratings of its sister show MasterChef Australia’s season debut earlier this year. Pictured are [L-R] Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo who are the judges on both shows
As well as 524,000 metro viewers, Junior MasterChef’s season debut saw 703,000 viewers tune in to watch the show nationally.
This is a significant drop from the 2.202 metro viewers who tuned in for the spin-off’s first season in 2010, and 1.129 viewers who watched the second season the following year.
An undeterred Channel 10 rep said of the recent figures: ‘The return of Junior MasterChef delivered solid results across all platforms.
‘They might be young, but our 14 mini-MasterChefs are amazingly talented, and we know everyone will love their journey.
Figures: The competitive children’s cooking series pulled in 524,000 metro viewers while MasterChef Australia saw 1.228m tune in for its April premiere with new judges Melissa Leong, Jock Zonfrillo and Andy Allen
‘Everyone will love their journey’: A Channel Ten spokesperson has revealed the network is satisfied with the early ratings as the season ‘will only continue to grow thanks to the amazing talents of their mini chefs’. Pictured is Junior MasterChef contestant Ryan Cheliah
‘Add in our judges Jock Zonfrillo, Melissa Leong and Andy Allen – plus some of the best chefs and cooks in the country – and this season will only continue to grow.’
Meanwhile, on Monday, Georgia and Carter impressed the judges with their honey-inspired desserts, earning themselves immunity from Tuesday night’s elimination challenge.
Georgia plated up a honey trifle with a honey sponge, creme anglaise and pomegranate poached pears, while Carter presented a honey carrot cake with spiced apricots, a honey cream and honey glazed carrots.
![Winners are grinners: Meanwhile, on Monday, Georgia and Carter [both pictured] impressed the judges with their honey-inspired desserts, earning themselves immunity from Tuesday night's elimination challenge](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/10/12/12/34288642-8830689-image-a-93_1602500918299.jpg)
Winners are grinners: Meanwhile, on Monday, Georgia and Carter [both pictured] impressed the judges with their honey-inspired desserts, earning themselves immunity from Tuesday night’s elimination challenge
Creation: Georgia plated up a honey trifle with a honey sponge, creme anglaise and pomegranate poached pears (pictured)
Critique: Judge Melissa (left) said of Georgia’s dessert: ‘Georgia, that trifle was light and it was bright. But more than that, it was a riot of colour and a celebration of honey’
Judge Melissa said of Georgia’s dessert: ‘Georgia, that trifle was light and it was bright. But more than that, it was a riot of colour and a celebration of honey.’
Georgia revealed that she isn’t a fan of honey and has never cooked with it.
‘I’m very scared about taking my honey trifle up to the judges,’ she said in a piece to camera. ‘I don’t like honey and I’ve never made this dish before.’
Carter was also highly praised by the judges for his honey carrot cake, starting with Melissa who couldn’t find any faults.
Like art: Carter was also highly praised by the judges for his honey carrot cake (pictured), starting with Melissa Leong who couldn’t find any faults
Praise: Viewers at home were equally blown away by Georgia and Carter’s culinary skills, with many sharing their thoughts on Twitter
‘I’m really struggling to find anything I don’t like about this cake, honestly,’ she said.
‘What I love is the aromas of the the cinnamon and the anise.. all of these lovely kind of warm aromas that hint at sitting by a fireside somewhere wintry and cosy, with your friends and your family and a cup of tea.’
Fellow judge Jock Zonfrillo even went so far as to describe it as ‘one of the best’ carrot cakes he’s ever eaten.
Junior MasterChef continues Tuesday at 7.30pm on Channel Ten
Tune in: Junior MasterChef continues Tuesday at 7.30pm on Channel Ten