Darien's Youth Chef On TV This Week

DARIEN, IL – Eisenhower Junior High student Blake Schmidt is prepared to gain some fame this week.

He is set to appear on season 8 of the Fox show, "MasterChef Junior." The first episode is 7 p.m. Thursday.

A news release from the producers lists Schmidt's signature dish as teriyaki salmon with steamed asparagus.

The 13-year-old's "culinary dream" is to go to a prestigious culinary school in Italy or France and become a famous chef, the release said.

The show was filmed pre-pandemic.

Schmidt is competing against 15 others, ranging from 8 to 13 years old. He is one of two Midwesterners.

The top 16 junior chefs must complete their first mystery challenge of the season. Their mentors include famous chefs Gordon Ramsay, Aaron Sanchez and wellness advocate Daphne Oz.

The producers call season 8 one of the toughest yet. It includes cooking a meal for diners at a renaissance fair, taking part in a WWE-themed episode and competing to see how they size up to monster trucks at a motocross track, according to the news release.

The contestants will also welcome Ramsay's daughter, Tilly, into the kitchen for a doughnut challenge.

Find out more about Schmidt from Patch's story in February.