Alabama’s own Bryson McGlynn, “Cheese Curd,” now age 12, recently won Gordon Ramsey’s MasterChef Junior grand prize.
Published: August 29, 2024
By: Carol Muse Evans
Alabama’s own Bryson McGlynn, “Cheese Curd,” now age 12, recently won Gordon Ramsey’s MasterChef Junior grand prize – Season 9, and he’s the first child from Alabama to take this honor. He was 11 at the time. He is the son of Mike and Shannon McGlynn of Auburn.
The show, which runs on the FOX network (you can watch in Birmingham at wbrc.com), ran approximately 11 episodes. In the series, which is about to begin its 10th season, amateur chefs compete in a series of cooking challenges overseen by a panel of accomplished chefs to survive elimination and become culinary masters, earning the title MasterChef Junior.
We recently talked with the young McGlynn about his big win.
Q. When did you start cooking?
A. I started when I was about three. I would pull a chair up with my parents and help out. As I got older, I started to get more serious. When I was eight, I started cooking competitively all over the country.
Q. When did you realize you were good at it?
A. When I was about 10, I started learning that I must not be too bad because I looked back over the past two years and realized that I had placed in the top 10 everywhere I went. I still feel like I have so much to learn though and want to keep learning.
Q, What was your motivation to get on the show?
A. It was always a dream to be on the show. I have been watching this show and Chef Ramsay since I was little. I felt like maybe I could do this, even though my style is a little different, so I kept practicing.
Q. When did you start applying?
A. This is the first season I have applied. I have practiced a lot though and have been working on my social media page by coming up with different recipes for a while before applying
Q. How did you go about getting on the show? What was the process?
A. I applied to be on the show, and then I had to go through a lot of interviews and cooking demonstrations. This was a long process. The next thing you know, I am flying out to LA to have a chance to get my white apron. I then had a semi-final round. From here that then narrowed it down to the top 12 and I was fortunate to be in the top 12 and get that white apron.
Q. When was the show taped?
A. The show was recorded in late fall 2023.
Q. How long were you there?
A. It took about two months to record everything (including the semi-final round).
Q. In what city was it taped?
A. Los Angeles.
Q. You still stay in touch with the other contestants. Is that important to you?
A. I talk to them a lot. They are like family to me. We are all so busy, but we try to call, FaceTime or text each other as much as possible.
Q. What did you learn? What have been the benefits of going through this experience?
A. I learned a lot of responsibility and perseverance. I learned to keep pushing yourself no matter what. I also know that I have made some of the closest friends throughout this country and will keep them close to me forever.
Q. Did you get any hands-on instruction from the chef-judges?
A. They would come around in the challenges and give advice. It was up to us to listen to them to what they had to suggest.
Q. What does it feel like to be a “celebrity?”
A. I don’t like to call myself a celebrity. It’s different. A lot of people like to come get pictures, which is fun. I think it’s most important to try to help push people my age to work hard and if that means I call myself a celebrity to do that I will.
Q. What demonstrations and/or competitions do you have coming up?
A. I have quite a few that are lining up all across the country. I will be posting these on my social media accounts when they become official. My goal is to continue my passion of cooking and try to help others in cooking.
Q. Is there anything else you would like to share?
A. To any kids that are thinking about doing something like this or anything, follow your dreams. It can happen if you work very hard. I always say that cooking brings people together, and that’s what I love. I love to cook and bring people together!
For more information about the show, visit fox.com/masterchef-junior. This show is televised on the FOX network. To follow McGlynn on social media, visit instagram.com/cookinwithcheesecurd.