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Next Best Junior Chef #3
The Winner Is . . .
The thrilling final episode in the zesty series for fans of kids' cooking competitions. It's the season finale and only two contestants remain. Who will take the cake and earn the title of Next Best Junior Chef?
Two talented junior chefs have sliced and diced their way into the finale of Next Best Junior Chef. This week's theme: innovation. Which junior chef will rise to the top and earn the title of Next Best Junior Chef? And whose goose is cooked? Two contestants compete on- and off-camera, but only one will win the whole enchilada.
This is a finale you won't want to miss!
Bonus: includes real cooking techniques for the aspiring young chef!
Two talented junior chefs have sliced and diced their way into the finale of Next Best Junior Chef. This week's theme: innovation. Which junior chef will rise to the top and earn the title of Next Best Junior Chef? And whose goose is cooked? Two contestants compete on- and off-camera, but only one will win the whole enchilada.
This is a finale you won't want to miss!
Bonus: includes real cooking techniques for the aspiring young chef!
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2018
40 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 11, 2025
The Next Best Junior Chef has been chosen and will be driving away with the food truck of their dreams. Who was the winner? I don't want to give it away, but J and I were each rooting for different chefs. I'm happy to say that my favorite chef did win the coveted apron and truck. As I noted in my previous review, the donut challenge was THE BEST!🦄
J was disappointed by the outcome, but still really loved the trilogy. We discussed that a young chef might be challenged to prepare in a Latvia challenge. The dessert would have to be Honey Cake.🍯🐝 For the main, the chefs would be competing to prepare a fabulous plate of Pelmeni tiny round dumplings stuffed with a blend of pork and beef). Delicious with sour cream!😋
Our next read will be The Easter Cat since we are so close to the holiday.
From January of 2019:
This was indeed a thrilling finale to the series and full of surprises and challenges for our young chefs. Their creativity in the kitchen is inspiring as does their adaptability. My favorite is the donut challenge! Includes useful information for aspiring chefs at the end of the book. Really a fantastic series!
J was disappointed by the outcome, but still really loved the trilogy. We discussed that a young chef might be challenged to prepare in a Latvia challenge. The dessert would have to be Honey Cake.🍯🐝 For the main, the chefs would be competing to prepare a fabulous plate of Pelmeni tiny round dumplings stuffed with a blend of pork and beef). Delicious with sour cream!😋
Our next read will be The Easter Cat since we are so close to the holiday.
From January of 2019:
This was indeed a thrilling finale to the series and full of surprises and challenges for our young chefs. Their creativity in the kitchen is inspiring as does their adaptability. My favorite is the donut challenge! Includes useful information for aspiring chefs at the end of the book. Really a fantastic series!
June 4, 2020
I like the sieres, but this one is my favorite. If you could give books 1/2 stars, I would give this one 3 1/2
August 4, 2018
Okay so maybe marathoning the last two books in this series in a day wasn't the best idea because it felt a little... overpowering. But it was still a lot of fun, and now I'm hungry.
December 29, 2022
4.5*!! This series was SO good! But the ending to this one - the very last 2 paragraphs, were weird and abrupt. Didn’t add anything to the story and was confusing.
August 3, 2018
Episode 3, The Winner is... is every bit as exciting as it promised to be. The theme is discoveries and surprises and their first challenge is to make something using the same flavors they taste in a chilled soup, a soup with the distinct flavor of cilantro. But what if you have the gene that makes cilantro taste like soup as one challenger does? Can you work around that and win the challenge? Maybe, maybe not. The second day holds a real surprise - the two eliminated challengers are back and given another chance to be the final winner of their dream food truck. Needless to say, the two remaining challengers aren't very happy to see them at first, but soon it is like old times, or at least, like week one. Ramping up the competition naturally ramps up the challenges. The junior chefs are asked to come up with innovative dishes using cranberries, which proved to be really challenging. The next challenge was equally as difficult, to make two dozen donuts, one dozen for kid judges, one for the chefs to judge. The final challenge, however, is the best - a chance to see what working in a food truck is really like by working in the food truck of their dreams. Each junior chef has to create, in 90 minutes, an entrée, a side dish, and a dessert that they would serve in their own food truck.
For the complete review of this trilogy, see Lights, Camera, Cook! (Next Best Junior Chef #1)
For the complete review of this trilogy, see Lights, Camera, Cook! (Next Best Junior Chef #1)
October 13, 2019
I am a person who loved to cook, and in 4th grade, I loved this series to the end. Love it!
December 30, 2020
I like MasterChef and Junior Master Chef, so this was a fun little series for me. The more I read, the more I liked the characters, and the chefs!
I don't understand how a kid could win a food truck as the grand prize, but... okay!
I enjoyed learning about cooking terms, and reading the descriptions of the foods the kids prepared.
I don't understand how a kid could win a food truck as the grand prize, but... okay!
I enjoyed learning about cooking terms, and reading the descriptions of the foods the kids prepared.
April 18, 2022
A delightful “backstage look” at a kid’s television cooking competition. Meet the young contestants, learn their cooking techniques, see what the production process is like, and - of course - root for your favorites to win!
Even as an adult, I couldn’t put this series down. I wanted to see the next cooking challenge and find out which kid would impress the judges in each lesson. There isn’t one specific “main character” or “lead point of view”, so I genuinely never knew who would go home next. And, just like on my favorite cooking shows, there are always many different factors to each elimination — the taste, the presentation, the creativity, and meeting the judge’s parameters for the challenge.
The thing that sets the apart I think, and really makes it work, are the illustrations. They help a non-foodie like me really visualize the food and understand the cooking process. They’re also just cute! I love to see the diversity of the kids and the judges — a variety of races, ages, and body types for both the kids and the adults is refreshing.
Add in features like educating kids about food pantries, talking about the challenges military kids face, showing off food and celebrations from many different cultures, and even just presenting kids navigating interpersonal drama and good sportsmanship in healthy ways… It’s a great choice for any kid!
If your kid (or you) loves cooking, competition television, tween friendships, or just fast-paced fun… This is the book series to pick up!
Even as an adult, I couldn’t put this series down. I wanted to see the next cooking challenge and find out which kid would impress the judges in each lesson. There isn’t one specific “main character” or “lead point of view”, so I genuinely never knew who would go home next. And, just like on my favorite cooking shows, there are always many different factors to each elimination — the taste, the presentation, the creativity, and meeting the judge’s parameters for the challenge.
The thing that sets the apart I think, and really makes it work, are the illustrations. They help a non-foodie like me really visualize the food and understand the cooking process. They’re also just cute! I love to see the diversity of the kids and the judges — a variety of races, ages, and body types for both the kids and the adults is refreshing.
Add in features like educating kids about food pantries, talking about the challenges military kids face, showing off food and celebrations from many different cultures, and even just presenting kids navigating interpersonal drama and good sportsmanship in healthy ways… It’s a great choice for any kid!
If your kid (or you) loves cooking, competition television, tween friendships, or just fast-paced fun… This is the book series to pick up!
August 14, 2018
Cross-posted from Kiss the Book reviewer's personal Goodreads account
Next Best Junior Chef : The Winner Is . . . by Charise Mericle Harper, 185 pages. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018. $13.
Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
**Spoiler Alert**
It's the final week of the Next Best Junior Chef competition, and it's down to just Caroline and Rae. By Thursday it will be all over, and the stakes have changed - no more gadget wall, now it's whisk pins and wait . . . Oliver and Tate have returned, competing for a spot back on the show!
I really liked this series. It reads like a backstage version of the kids cooking shows. Book three ends the competition and includes tips and techniques from the Culinary Institute of America in the appendix.
Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
Next Best Junior Chef : The Winner Is . . . by Charise Mericle Harper, 185 pages. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018. $13.
Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
**Spoiler Alert**
It's the final week of the Next Best Junior Chef competition, and it's down to just Caroline and Rae. By Thursday it will be all over, and the stakes have changed - no more gadget wall, now it's whisk pins and wait . . . Oliver and Tate have returned, competing for a spot back on the show!
I really liked this series. It reads like a backstage version of the kids cooking shows. Book three ends the competition and includes tips and techniques from the Culinary Institute of America in the appendix.
Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
August 28, 2018
This is a difficult premise to put into book format--a cooking contest show for kids. Since it's an ensemble cast, you never really get a good feel for any one character. Points of view shift all over the place, and even within paragraphs. Like a TV show, the focus shifts from one contestant to the next, and even occasionally to the judges, with the brief periodic interviews (shown as speech bubbles) carrying some of the story.
The subject matter is quite sophisticated, so the audience for the books will be narrow. Only kids who are very interested in cooking and watch the Food Network will really understand the terminology and techniques mentioned. (I didn't read the first two books so perhaps they were well described in those stories, but still.) The back matter of the book explains about taste and flavor, which is kind of cool.
Hard core foodies will enjoy this series. I just don't know how many 8- and 9-year-old chef wannabees are out there to read it.
The subject matter is quite sophisticated, so the audience for the books will be narrow. Only kids who are very interested in cooking and watch the Food Network will really understand the terminology and techniques mentioned. (I didn't read the first two books so perhaps they were well described in those stories, but still.) The back matter of the book explains about taste and flavor, which is kind of cool.
Hard core foodies will enjoy this series. I just don't know how many 8- and 9-year-old chef wannabees are out there to read it.
May 17, 2018
There are NO spoilers in this review!
I really enjoyed the conclusion to this series, although (no spoilers) the book ended like there could be a continuation so who knows? I would keep reading these.
I very strongly suggest you read these in order because this one picks up where #2 leaves off and if you just get this one, you're going to be totally lost. This is a progressive series about a cooking competition where one by one chefs are eliminated and the final contestants compete for a grand prize of their own food truck and a guest spot on one of the judge's TV shows. I don't want to go into any more of the plot because it will spoil the suspense. Needless to say, I read the book in one sitting. I enjoyed the writing and the characters. Again, my only complaint is that they make such amazing food in these books and there are no recipes!!
I really enjoyed the conclusion to this series, although (no spoilers) the book ended like there could be a continuation so who knows? I would keep reading these.
I very strongly suggest you read these in order because this one picks up where #2 leaves off and if you just get this one, you're going to be totally lost. This is a progressive series about a cooking competition where one by one chefs are eliminated and the final contestants compete for a grand prize of their own food truck and a guest spot on one of the judge's TV shows. I don't want to go into any more of the plot because it will spoil the suspense. Needless to say, I read the book in one sitting. I enjoyed the writing and the characters. Again, my only complaint is that they make such amazing food in these books and there are no recipes!!
June 9, 2024
Budding chefs everywhere will want this final book of the series, for sure! The two girls who have become friends during the competition are a bit concerned about the competition affecting their friendship. The surprise twist is when the competitors who were out return and allow the girls to "team up" again.
This is a story about cooking, for sure, but it is also about friendships, family, handling yourself under pressure, and public speaking. My students who love cooking shows requested this series and I am happy to be adding this third one in the series for them now.
Recommended if your readers like Junior Chef TV.
This is a story about cooking, for sure, but it is also about friendships, family, handling yourself under pressure, and public speaking. My students who love cooking shows requested this series and I am happy to be adding this third one in the series for them now.
Recommended if your readers like Junior Chef TV.
June 28, 2018
It's the final week of the Next Best Junior Chef competition, and it's down to just Caroline and Rae. By Thursday it will be all over, and the stakes have changed - no more gadget wall, now it's whisk pins and wait . . . Oliver and Tate have returned, competing for a spot back on the show!
I really liked this series. It reads like a backstage version of the kids cooking shows. Book three ends the competition and includes tips and techniques from the Culinary Institute of America in the appendix.
Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!
I really liked this series. It reads like a backstage version of the kids cooking shows. Book three ends the competition and includes tips and techniques from the Culinary Institute of America in the appendix.
Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2018
Grade 2 and up; charming, fun conclusion to this fictional series about a cooking competition for kids (which is like a cross between “Chopped” and “Top Chef”). This installment is very similar to the previous two: age-appropriate, lighthearted, and great for kids who are interested in food (or competitions). Recommended.
July 23, 2018
This is a terrific ending to this trilogy. This year several 3rd grade readers began the series - it was tricky for them to put themselves into the TV program setting. I don't think that would be the case for older readers. I suspect that won't be an issue now that the end of the contest is also on the shelf.
The characters and the text features move this story along to a fitting conclusion.
The characters and the text features move this story along to a fitting conclusion.
July 22, 2018
A timely cooking challenge trilogy that would be a great classroom read aloud. Starting with Lights, Camera, Cook , these books would be a fun way to start off the school year. Promotes friendship, determination and personal growth.
January 3, 2019
I defintely enjoyed this series! While I thought I knew who was going to win, I was not certain until the last pages of the book. It keeps the reader guessing! I like how the author incorporates a section at the end to help readers learn about taste and foods! Two-thumbs up for this book!
February 13, 2019
The final week of the competition is heating up. They have more challenges to accomplish throughout the week. There are several twists and turns throughout the competition, and you will not have a clue of who will win the Next Best Junior Chef.
October 28, 2019
It feels like you are reading an episode of Masterchef Junior. The storyline is easy to follow and you kind of know who will be the winner at the end of this story. Easy read that can read in 1 sitting.
August 23, 2018
Yay! The person I wanted to win won!
September 15, 2018
Rae ended up winning which is who I wanted from the beginning I loved how Rae and Caroline stayed friends
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2018
Asher (12yo) read. "Good book. Great end to the series. Lots of interesting meals made by the chefs. Very incredible prize for the winner though!"
November 14, 2018
This book wasn’t as fun to read as the other two in this series. The challenges weren’t that interesting, so it made this book kind of boring.
December 11, 2018
My daughter and I loved this whole series. The book had us pulled in throughout the whole series! This final book has many twists and turns!
February 12, 2019
A satisfying conclusion to this series, which reads as if you’re watching a reality cooking show.
April 27, 2020
Loved it
One of the best series I ever read,
I strongly recommend reading, definitely worth the price
I suggest that you buy the series not the single books
One of the best series I ever read,
I strongly recommend reading, definitely worth the price
I suggest that you buy the series not the single books
March 24, 2021
Cute. 3rd and final book in the series. My 9 year old loved them all!
June 17, 2023
I thought it was an amazing book. The contestant I wanted to win didn't, though. Not only that, but it was my least favorite that DID win! Not my second or third favorite, but LEAST FAVORITE!! It's not the author's fault, though, she didn't know who I'd like and not like.
Okay, since the first few sentences where all BAD things, why don't I say some GOOD things about the book!
First, the chapters were decent lengths, and it had pictures on a lot of the pages. (Which, if you're like me, you like pictures in books! :)) And it was a little intense! I want another series! maybe of new contestants!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it was SO good! I'm super sad that it ended!!!!!! Make a book about the winner and its adventures!! I want more!!!!
Okay, since the first few sentences where all BAD things, why don't I say some GOOD things about the book!
First, the chapters were decent lengths, and it had pictures on a lot of the pages. (Which, if you're like me, you like pictures in books! :)) And it was a little intense! I want another series! maybe of new contestants!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it was SO good! I'm super sad that it ended!!!!!! Make a book about the winner and its adventures!! I want more!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews