Hudson Valley Teens On MasterChef Junior Tonight

SOUTH SALEM, NY – Maclain Rockett's passion for the culinary arts led him to becoming a budding reality star.

His turn in the prime-time spotlight begins when the eighth season of "MasterChef Junior" kicks off Thursday night.

"MasterChef Junior" gives children with a talent for the culinary arts the chance to showcase their abilities and passion for food through a series of tasty challenges. On tonight's premiere, the Top 16 junior chefs, between the ages of 8 and 13, will receive a coveted white apron and must prove that they deserve to stay in the game by completing their first mystery challenge of the season.

Rockett, who was 12 during filming, says his culinary dream is to open up a patisserie in the Northeast one day. "I've been cooking since I was a baby and I won't be stopping anytime soon," the show's social media page quoted him as saying.

SEE ALSO: 3 Hudson Valley Contestants On New 'MasterChef Junior' Season

Rockett discovered his appreciation for food because of the passion his paternal grandmother, Laurie Rockett, had creating meals for her family. She was considered to be a renowned chef in family circles and became his inspiration when he began perfecting his culinary skills.

Rockett grew fond of Grammie Rockett’s cooking not only because she was an excellent chef, but also because she was a single mother for a big portion of her life and she still dedicated time to perfecting her food and ensuring that her meals brought her family happiness. She taught her grandson how to cook and she is one of the main reasons that the culinary arts are more than just a hobby for Maclain. Rockett enjoys cooking not simply because he is talented, but because he sees the joy and happiness he can bring to others with the art of cooking, just like Grammie Rockett did.

“I enjoy making people happy with the food that I create,” Maclain said.

One of his favorite dishes to whip up is his iconic Pork Milanese.

"Filming MasterChef Junior was exciting, but it didn’t feel as surreal and momentous at the time as it does right now when it’s about to air," Rockett said.

The show not only gave him the ability to showcase his talents but also gave him the confidence to begin acting and he is now starring in his school's plays and musicals.

The newest season, which was shot pre-pandemic, will also feature Jillian Maher from Yonkers and Liya Chu of Scarsdale, along with 13 other contestants from across the U.S.

Producers are being tight-lipped about details so as not to give away spoilers, but here's what we know about the upcoming season.

Judges and mentors in the eighth season include Gordon Ramsey, Aarón Sánchez and Daphne Oz. The winner of Season 8 will be named America's next MasterChef Junior, take home a trophy and $100,000 in prize money.

In the premiere episode on Thursday, contestants will punch a hole through a wall of mystery ingredients and then make a dish featuring the items found in the hidden cubbies.

The kitchen challenges in Season 8 include cooking a meal for diners at a historical renaissance fair, a WWE-themed episode, competing alongside monster trucks at a motocross track and welcoming guest Tilly Ramsay, daughter of Gordon Ramsay, into the kitchen for a donut challenge.

Season 8 of "MasterChef Junior" is set to premiere on March 17 on Fox at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT.