9 Lesson to Learn from Junior MasterChef

Junior MasterChef is a cooking game show involving kids from ages nine to twelve years old. During the show, the contestants display their cooking skills by preparing appropriate dishes based on the requirements of the challenge.

A franchise of this show is already being aired in the Philippines. They call it Junior MasterChef Pinoy Edition. Young and talented Filipino cooks from all walks of life auditioned to be part of this prestigious cooking show. After watching the first episode in TFC, I got hooked. It was really fun seeing the children prepare wonderful dishes. I see myself in them when I was about their age.

I am always amazed when I see young people do things that grown-ups usually does – like cooking, for example. It only proves that age is not a factor to accomplish things. Through constant practice coupled by a little guidance, these kids will gain the experience necessary for them to reach for their dreams of becoming a chef, one day.

Watching this cooking show does not only make us feel excited and amazed, these kids also teaches us lessons about cooking, dreams, and life, in an implied manner.

Here are some lessons to learn from these wonderful young cooks:

1. Cooking is a form of self expression

Just like Art, you can also express yourself through cooking. The dishes that you prepare reflect your personality.

2. Becoming a Chef Starts by completing your first dish

As the saying goes “ A journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step”, this can also be compared to your dream of being a good good cook, or even a chef. You should accept the fact that experience and constant practice is important to reach your goal.

3. Formal Culinary Education is not necessary, but it is an advantage

For most of us who want to get serious with cooking but do not want to make a career out of it, enrolling in a culinary school is not required; you can be the best cook, even without a diploma. However, there are more important things that you will learn when attending culinary classes.

4. Filipino Recipes are Awesome!

An episode of the program showcased Filipino Recipes by preparing foods that are serve in each contestant’s hometown during town fiestas. The dishes that the kids made were truly amazing.

5. Do not rely on recipes too much. Use them only as a guide to make your own masterpiece

Recipes – especially tested ones – are fool proof instructions on how to cook a certain dish. Use them when in doubt, but try to add in a little twist to complete a creation that you can call your own.

6. Dare to dream and make it happen

Most of these kids has a dream to be in the culinary field someday. They are doing something to accomplish that dream even at a very young age. No matter if they win or lose the competition, these talented young cooks are determined to make their dream a reality.

7. Fancy cooking tools and equipments is nice to have, but not necessary

This is self explanatory. We can cook simple delicious dishes without using elegant kitchen tools. All we need are simple useful tools such as pans, spatula, and ladle. However, you will need tome specialty tools if you want to take your cooking to the next level.

8. Passion is the most important ingredient for success

Successful people are passionate in what they do. Being passionate lets you ignore hardships and failures. This lets you focus more on solutions and results.

9. Life is similar to cooking. You need to take things one step at a time

Like cooking, life involves a step by step procedure. We cannot do all things at a single time. Let us all be patient and optimistic by doing things one at a time, hoping for the best in every step of the way.