I'm unsure whether it's a good thing to be featured on national television, which results in all the participants - and their families - getting the kind of attention reality TV contestants attract.
As an example, here is a selection of comments that were tweeted during and after the second episode. Most are positive and/or funny, but there are some nasty tweets out there too.
Which is one thing for adults to cop, but pretty hard on kids. Yes, I know, the kids shouldn't be on twitter, but I'm pretty sure they will find out about it at some time, even if it's when they're back at school.
- Every kid on Junior MasterChef gets good reviews, the judges must have disliked at least ONE?
- Junior Masterchef is just a way to exploit children for television ratings
- Some douchbag kid made a sandwich on junior masterchef
- Not enough kids dropping things and throwing tantrums on junior masterchef. Not a good portrayal of that age group at all!
- Whenever i watch junior masterchef i feel bad for not being able to cook as good as them The kids on Junior Masterchef should be put straight into Australia's leading kitchens. Only If they can reach over the bench.
- After watching Junior MasterChef, I think it may also be time for Junior Biggest Loser
- Also, if you want to feel incompetent as a cook... watch Junior Masterchef Australia. 8-12 year olds put ya to shame.
See what I mean? Some comments are great, but there are some nasty meanie pooheads out there picking on our junior chefs.
Anyway.
What I do love about Junior MasterChef is that it showcases what kids can do if they are given the right tools and encouragement.
These kids are so composed, and clever, and honest, and brave ... they are a credit to their parents. And yeah, one of two of them might think they're pretty good, but maybe that's because they are!
I love that the judges are encouraging and funny and caring. Yes, so they don't put the kids down and they find positive things to say about each of them. But that is because it is the right thing to do. These are kids after all!
Child psychologists are on hand for the kids, families, judges and whoever to talk to and seek guidance where necessary. So I think the producers have taken a responsible approach. And if Junior MasterChef gets more kids in the kitchen, creating and eating good food rather than craving takeaway and junk food, that can only be a good thing.
Junior MasterChef should be watched by all education professionals because it shows what children can achieve, even if they don't fit into a neat little box.
Blogger and twitterer Ben Jones says it all here:
What do others think?
In the meantime, here are a few photos of my own Junior MasterChefs at work in the kitchen:
Mr 9 picked out this wild barramundi after a quick chat with the fishmonger at our local Coles.
"Oh, that's disgusting," he says. Though he took ghoulish delight at showing Miss 7 and I the heart and lungs and other gross things ...
Mr 7 plated up barra with rice, smashed potatoes, rocket, mayo, and a little bbq sauce. A weird combination I know, but he liked it.
Miss 7 added a little more rocket, lemon and Japanese mayo to hers
She was also proud of her efforts!
And in case you're interested, we stuffed the fish with garlic, lemon, and fresh dill supplied by one of the Mums at school. Then we put it in a oven bag and cooked it. The rocket came out of our herb garden.
It was delicious!
Disclaimer: We all had upset tummies the next day so we're not sure if it was a bug - as the kids also had fever and sore throats - or the fish. I'm hoping it wasn't the fish!
What do your kids get up to in the kitchen?
2 comments:
As I keep saying Jnr Masterchef is so wrong to put pressure on kids like that.
If a kid is in a normal kitchen cooking there wouldn't be a Child Psychologist or Judge there would be just their family( Maybe friends if cooking with friends)
I understand kids love to cook but there are heaps of cooking schools around that cater to kids who want to cook without all the pressure.
The ourbrisbane web site give a list of cooking schools ran during school holidays just for kids.
As for jnr masterchef getting more kids in the kitchen it's actually keeping them away from the kitchen cause now normal kids feel under pressure to cook like on tv.
I'd rather let kids watch say Ready Steady Cook and show them how relaxed you can be in a kitchen & cook some of their fast easy meals with kids.
It's up to the parents to show kids that its' fun to cook in the kitchen, if the parents buy junk food all the time then of course the kids are going to want it.
If parents cook in the kitchen then kids are going to want to help them so it all boils down to the parents (or other family members if they live with grandparents,uncles,aunts etc)
I know that not all kids whose parents will feed them junk food will crave junk food or that not all kids that see people cook will want to cook but most kids do follow that.
Great post sorry for the long answer (((( Hugs ))))
I like your blog. I wanted to apply for Junior Master Chef but my mum wuldn't let me because she thought I hadn't cooked enough. I hope they have another series so I can try then.
Tilly
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