Hudson Valley Teen Wins MasterChef Junior Cooking Title

SCARSDALE, NY — A Scarsdale teenager is the latest MasterChef Junior — a secret Liya Chu has had to keep for three years.

Chu, who filmed the finale when she was 10, is now 13 and received $100,000 for winning, which she plans on using for college tuition, Parade reported.

She wowed the MasterChef Junior judges in the finale of the eighth season with pan roasted duck breast with a miso glaze and scallion pancake. For dessert, she served up coconut and pandan panna cotta tapioca, passion fruit coulis and mango heart.

Gordon Ramsey, who was one of three judges, said Chu's duck dish wasn't as attractive as her competitor's, but "the flavor was extraordinary."

Chu's parents own Fantasy Cuisine in Hartsdale and Dumpling Plus Noodle in Bronxville, the Journal News reported, so the apple obviously doesn't fall very far from the tree.

This fall, Chu will be participating in the 2022 MasterChef Junior Live! Tour.

"I am so happy to be on the stage cooking again," she said, "and finally getting a chance to meet all our fans."

Chu will be joined in the tour with finalist Grayson, from Austin, Texas, and fan-favorites A'dan, of Librun, Georgia, and Molly, of Springfield, Missouri.

The 25-plus city tour will be stopping in Stamford, Connecticut Oct. 11 at the Palace Theatre. Tickets are now on sale.

The tour is described as featuring "more mouth-watering cooking demonstrations and challenges to tickle your taste buds and funny bone," according to organizers.