Turns out, while you were busy making your own 2-minute noodles and peanut butter sandwiches as a ten year old, there were other kids out there whipping up pumpkin and ricotta tortellini, and lime granita with Sichuan pepper meringue. Still don’t know how to do that? Get ready to be given a cooking lesson by a bunch of 9-14 year olds, when the all-new Junior MasterChef hits later this year.

Jock Zonfrillo, Melissa Leong and Andy Allen will head up the new pint-sized program, which will mark the third season for the franchise. The spin-off show is expected to run in a similar format to the adult version, with contestants eliminated in batches, rather than individually, and with the winning child crowned Junior MasterChef Australia 2020. It’s too early to say whether there will be more or less tears, but we think it will probably be about the same amount. Rather than the quarter mil cash prize and Holden Equinox, which they wouldn’t be about to drive for another decade, contestants win smaller sums of money.  In Junior MasterChef season 2, that was $15,000 for first prize, which is still an awful lot of lollies from the corner store.

Judge Melissa Leong said: “We are so thrilled to be bringing Junior MasterChef Australia to life very soon. To be showcasing a generation of kids who have grown up with the show and who have literally been cooking for most of their lives, you know this is going to be spectacular.

“Jock, Andy and I are very excited to meet our incredible little cooks, and to see what the next generation has in store.”

Network 10 Head Of Drama And Executive Production, Rick Maier, said: “It’s been nine years since we last heard the rattle of pots and pans with brilliant young Australians at the pass. High time for a recall, we think – especially at a time when families are sharing more and more adventures in the kitchen together.

“With Melissa, Jock and Andy in charge, we’re all looking forward to discovering the next generation of Pohs, Reynolds and Callums. Their time starts now.”

Filming on Junior MasterChef Australia has already begun, with the show slated to air on Network 10 in late 2020.

Related food news: This year’s MasterChef finale delivers the feelgood moment we all needed right now