‘MasterChef Junior’ Renewal: Season 4 Ordered By Fox

MasterChef Junior Season 4 is a go already, just a week into the third season premiering on Fox. While some shows have to wait and wait for renewal or cancellation news, it seems the network remains confident that this Gordon Ramsay spin-off vehicle is worth keeping around.

According to Deadline, MasterChef Junior will begin production on Season 4 this spring. The show is back, but there is a change in the judging panel. Joe Bastianich recently announced that he was departing the show. In his place will be Christina Tosi, the founder and owner of Milk Bar in New York City. Ramsay and Graham Elliot will be back for this fourth season, as well.

While Fox tends to embrace controversial and racy shows, including some of Ramsay’s other offerings at times, MasterChef Junior provides a bit of a departure. Gordon’s aggressive style is set aside in this one and viewers love seeing a different side to him.

The show took over the time slot previously held by Utopia on Tuesday nights, a bit of an upgrade compared to its previous Friday night spot. The show has done well there and it is clear that the network wants to keep the momentum going. Seasons 2 and 3 were filmed back-to-back over the course of a three-month period, and there wasn’t much of a gap between the airing of the seasons.

When will Season 4 of MasterChef Junior premiere? The network seemingly hasn’t released that information yet, so fans will have to stay tuned. Season 1 debuted in September 2013, while Season 2 premiered in November 2014. Season 3 just started this month, so some fans speculate that perhaps Season 4 will be ready in the fall.

While Tosi will not be a familiar face to viewers, Ramsay has high praise for her. As TVLine shares, Gordon calls her one of the most exciting, inspirational, and dynamic people in the food industry right now. He says she’s had a “meteoric rise in the culinary world” due to her work ethic and brilliant ideas. Ramsay thinks she’ll be an “incredible judge and phenomenal mentor” on the show.

While seeing Bastianich leave will be a loss for the show, most would agree that Tosi sounds like an intriguing and likely great fit for the show and the kids participating. At this point, it would appear that the new season will get to stay in the current Tuesday night time slot as well.

Who will win Season 3 of MasterChef Junior? Will Season 4 keep fans interested and tuning in despite the judging panel change? Fans would imagine so — and they’re thrilled the show is sticking around for a bit.

[Image via Voucher Codes]