Child exploitation? It’s all kid gloves on Junior MasterChef
TV Tonight visits Junior MasterChef to learn what lengths it goes to in creating a supportive environment, and finds a bunch of kids bursting with excitement.
- Published by David Knox
- on
- Filed under News
On a break from filming there were kids playing ring a rosy and laughing. Some were picking flowers. Others were jumping up and down, hugging one another, rolling on the astroturf, being surprisingly tactile. There were smiles on faces, adults talking to kids and loads of bonding.
If these are the kids in Junior MasterChef, don’t they know they are supposed to be competitors?
These kids are all bestest friends.
But it’s no surprise to Executive Producer Nick Colquhoun. He says Shine Australia has fostered an environment that allows the Top 20 kids to feel supported and confident, with a space that encourages expression.
In the world of Reality TV, where it is easy to throw around claims of child exploitation, Junior MasterChef prides itself on the lengths it has gone to for its participants. But while it may be an issue of Duty of Care, it is also a management system that delivers joyous contestants on air too.
Colquhoun says the Junior MasterChef model draws from the fact that Shine’s Mark and Carl Fennessy and Director of Programming Paul Franklin are all parents of school age children. With contestants aged between 8 – 12 years, the working environment of the MasterChef Kitchen has had to be transformed into a welcoming environment.
“There is their psychological and physical health and then there is the culture here (at the kitchen). They probably balance out in terms of importance,” he says.
“Once the kids are selected to go into the Top 50 they undergo a series of psychological evaluations. It deals with IQ, communication skills, self-awareness, and resiliency.
“They need to be able to communicate a passion for food in order for the process to be enjoyable and they need a level of confidence.
“If there are signs they wouldn’t cope because they don’t have the self-confidence and it might affect them if they don’t win a challenge, then based on that advice we might not put them into the competition. By the time they arrive we’re confident they’re going to have the capacity to enjoy the process. People enjoy it because there is a sense of positivity to it.”
The children and a parent or guardian are all accommodated in serviced apartments (1 child, 1 parent per two bedroom apartment) including with a recreational area and pool. Even those families from Sydney are housed here. Unlike the adult series, there is no filming at this accommodation. Colquhoun says it is crucial they allow the children to have time out from the competition.
During most shooting days at the kitchen the parents are not on hand.
“They are waiting at the accommodation for the kids to come home. It’s a big impost on the parents because some of them have to take time off work. If they’re from interstate they’re all of a sudden living in a serviced apartment for the period of time that the kids are in the competition. But it’s the sacrifice the parents make, just as they would for a sport,” he says.
“It can be added pressure to have mum or dad up there watching. What we’ve created for the kids is an environment where they have the support of chaperones and each other.”
The Top 20 have 3 full time chaperones (who have all had police checks), including one who lives at the same accommodation.
“They pick them up in the morning, bring them onto set, manage them during the day, spend time with them during the day, then go back with them at the end of the day. The kids have scheduled breaks of 10 minutes every hour and every fourth hour they have a one hour break,” he says.
Schooling is done via consultation with school principals.
“A system is developed between the principal and the parents so that they minimise the amount of work, but the parents manage to make sure they keep doing some work during the process.”
With filming taking place 5 days a week, are they supplied with tutors?
“They can (have them) if they request them, but none did. The parents are here for the duration and if they need extra support they will ask for that. Most parents see this as an experience in itself that broadens their horizons and skills in an area they’re passionate about.”
There are also weekly production meetings with parents. The show also has a resident psychologist on set for all challenges, who de-briefs children when they exit the series and empowers them with enough social skills for what may lie ahead.
“If there are comments in the schoolyard about them leaving the competition they can ask that kid, ‘Did you get into Junior Masterchef? Did you know that more people have been into outer space than have been in Junior Masterchef?’ It’s a pretty exclusive club. So it lets them know the ways they can deal with comments,” he explains.
“It’s reinforced that we’re only ever a phone call away, but it hasn’t been an issue.”
Colquhoun even says there are no “stage mums” amongst the group.
“You expect it but either we’ve been very lucky or very good at weeding them out because all the parents are just super supportive of the kids.
“Different series have different personalities but there’s no angst between them, they’re best mates already, they’re all on Facebook together and that’s flowed through to the parents.”
While watching a scene in which a child chooses ingredients from the pantry, the enthusiasm could barely be contained. Judges Gary Mehigan, Anna Gare and Matt Moran were affectionately taunted by the kids amid a buoyant atmosphere that occasionally undermined the usual MasterChef drama. Be serious kids, this is important stuff.
Series Eliminations are also structured in such a way so as to minimise an emotional impact.
“It’s designed for four, so that it’s not just one kid. So on a challenge, six will compete and four will go home, back to their school, family, and friends having had a great experience,” says Colquhoun.
“When there is a challenge the kids start supporting themselves, saying ‘well done!’ and that’s the heart of the show. They are the elements people enjoy more than the ‘long-pants’ show.”
Eliminations are followed by parties, to celebrate a child’s achievements.
But if there are any real risks in a show of this nature, it is surely allowing children to work with utensils, hotplates and ovens?
Overseeing this area is Safety Consultant Roger Graham, a former military commando who has worked on MasterChef, The Biggest Loser and similar productions.
“He’s the safest person I know. I’ve put my life in his hands on different occasions on numerous shows. He’s thrown me out of a helicopter in New Zealand, he’s had me walk across a tightrope between two buildings,” insists Colquhoun.
“He dictates what the kids can and can’t use. They can never use deep fryers unless in an exceptional circumstance when someone else will manage it for them. He decides the implements they use. We have special knives made of plastic so that if a kid drops it there’s no weight in it and it bounces off their shoe.
“There are occasional cuts and there is a nurse on set who bandages them, as would happen in their own homes.”
Induction ovens are used with hotplates that only get hot when something is placed on it, and they cool down just as quickly.
“If you happen to rest you hand five minutes later you’re not going to get burned. You can never stop it but it’s about diminishing it, managing it and reducing the risk,” he explains.
“Every single bench has a ‘Bench Watcher’ and their sole job is to watch the kids on the bench and step in if there is any sort of risk. If they see a kid struggling with a pot of hot water they’ll immediately step in. And that’s reviewed every week and it takes precedence over (shooting a) story. They are safer cooking in this environment than they are at home because they will always have eyes on them.”
Also contrasting the adult version is an intent to edit children into the show so that everyone has a visible presence.
“We’re mindful that every kid has fair representation and is featured. They’ve told their mates they’re going on Junior MasterChef so we have to make sure there is a balance in the coverage.”
What about questions of the contracts that parents were forced to sign? Did it go too far?
“Every contract has legal jargon but when you strip that away it’s there to protect both the brand and the child. We don’t want contestant to go out and sell their story because they don’t have the experience to manage the media. When you invite the vampire into your house it’s going to become problematic,” Colquhoun says.
“Bring us in and then we can help manage that for you.
“The risk of something or the promise of something is always greater than the reality. We’ve built up a framework where the kids are supported, we build the confidence in them, and that they know if there is an issue to give us a call because they’re always part of the family. But the reality is that when they go back into their school lives and home lives, people think they’re cool because they’ve been impressed by what they’re producing in here.”
Somewhere in the middle of all this nurturing and caring there are kids creating great dishes right?
“The focus is on celebrating what they’ve actually produced and celebrating the relationships they’ve formed here,” he insists.
“Carl and Mark spoke about cartoon love hearts that come out of everyone when they talk about Junior MasterChef. That’s what it’s like.
“There’s no place for cynicism in this show, and that’s why it’s a joy to work on.
“It’s amazing to watch what these kids are cooking and producing and they are a super bunch of kids. So I think the series will speak for itself.”
Junior MasterChef airs 7:30pm Sundays and Mondays on TEN.
Share
- Tagged with Junior Masterchef, MasterChef Australia, The Biggest Loser
28 Responses
I agree with Mydoona… I know these kids are exceptional, but surely there is some “before the show starts” training… there is no way they could just “Know” all this stuff… I feel like at any moment one of these kids will comment on “best practice methods for driving a semitrailer at night” or “10 steps to paying off your mortgage sooner” You and I know that those experiences would not and can not exist for these kids… how is it possible (unless prior training were involved) for these children to have such experience in cooking?… I smell a rat Lightly caramelised and slow cooked, but a “Rat” none the less…. Not trying to sound negative… If I’m wrong, Wow, these kids are truly amazing!! (they are anyway… but even more so!)
Hmmm – interesting that “they are all on Facebook together” when the maximum age for JM is 12 and the minimum age for Facebook is 13.
Did you get to meet the people who tell the kids what to cook?
There is no way in the world that a 9 yr old knows what half the stuff is they cook. I don’t even know how to cook it
Kids know how to cook what their parents teach them and unless every contestant is from the North Shore, recipes should include fish and chips, mashed potato,etc not Black winter truffle,
roasted hazelnut, jamon de bellota, salsify, shaved raw mushrooms, juniper, pea flowers…what normal 9 year old has ever tasted jamon de bellota….let alone knows how to cook it..I smell a scam here.
As we know reality show is a misnomer. They are built on conflict, failure,tears and a huge team of cinematographers matched by an editing department whose task is to confect some drama from hours of tedium. There may be some minor out of pocket compensation but the commercial attraction is that people work for nothing based upon prizes. DOCS have rules because parents themselves are unfamiliar with television practice and often do not represent their children’s interests. The producers have a huge conflict of interest here even if they may be parents themselves. On balance even if children were paid award wages and treated like child actors, as they should be, there is no place for them in competitive reality shows.
Last year when Junior MC was announced I was concerned about the possible exploitation of children and expressed my view on this site. I was wrong and subsequently admitted I had jumped to the wrong conclusion. If the programme this year maintains the good spirit and encouragement of the kids’ efforts as it did last year I don’t think there will be anything to complain about.
Lots of nastiness and testosterone in this particular thread!
Yes, the article reads a bit like an advert, but then David did go to check out the set and he has always practised complete impartiality. Can there be any doubt that if he found anything smelly he’d be only too happy to tell us? That sort of negative discovery is a blogger’s dream. Muckraking = Hits. I’ve been reading his blog since it started and I see no reason to doubt him now.
Yes, to me it seems potentially exploitative of the kids, but that’s the risk any child with stage parents faces. Who really knows if the kids enjoy it? Only they do.
And yes, @Bob certainly stepped over the line with his toothbrush comment, but I think you did too David, when you allowed the ‘Bob’s a w#nker’ comment to be added.
Normally you suppress that kind of personal attack under your “play the ball, don’t play the man” rule.
So stop fighting, kids! Don’t make me have to stop the car! 😉
Crikey moses Franz, they aren’t down the coal mines for 23 hours a day without food and water!!
I think some of you need to go and investigate what child exploitation actually is because I don’t think it equates with swanning about on a cooking show!!
And please if you are going to have a giant rant can you use paragraphs! (not Franz obviously)
This is Child Exploitation Period.You are actually robbing Kids of their Childhoods before they are legally allowed to go out to work.The Acting Industry Aside who really sends out young kids to work
PS Bob – you’re a w*nker.
I realise that the show is editted so that we only see what Shine and Channel Ten want us to see but it always seems to me that the kids are having a great time and are super supportive of each other.
Instead of carrying on about child exploitation maybe we should be applauding these kids for the incredible food that they produce. I was amazed by how talented these kids were last year and I think it’s great that they get the opportunity to show off their gift on national television.
Bob that is totally uncalled for. Most articles here are relatively neutral compared with what’s printed in the mainstream, anyway (we’re all TV fans so the added drama isn’t necessary).
John, are you sure they’re working for nothing? It was my understanding most reality show participants receive some kind of compensation (making up for the parents taking time off work and so forth) independent of any prizes awarded.
still sounds like a boring show to me… after the disaster of renovators, I have no idea why they would continue to weaken the brand with this nonsense…
Where is this being shot, Sydney or Melbourne?
@Mason. This is child exploitation no ifs ands or buts about it. I also see it as an oportunity yes but mainly see it as glory hungry potentially stage parents seeking fame and fortune through their kids it has happened before, and we all know the devastating consequenses of a childs childhood being ripped away at a young age they never fully recover. It would still be the same if it was a sports competition its still the same. these kids are the same atleast on Football Superstar the “kids” were closer to 18 and actually were aware of the realities of these competitions. Besides who ever wins this comp whats in it for them i wouldnt think much. But no doubt that thier parents would milkit for all its worth and probably waste the prize money or something similar to a situation on the simpsons when homer had to pay money to get some incriminating photos of him dropping bart. I understand that people and kids in this case have to learn how to loose and to accept it but lets be honeset here they never do, i mean just look at their parents they can never accept defeat and they simply blame and external source for them loosing. All iam saying is they are way too young, to be doing this. When they get closure to adult hood and if they still have a passion for cooking then they can persure that but really how tangible is that? THey will most likely change their minds.
Armchair A: I always have concerns about minors in Reality shows, which is why I went for a first-hand look. But I think to make statements such as “their parents they can never accept defeat” and “the ones who get eliminated most likely throw in the towel and stop cooking” is your perception. Which parents / kids have gone on the record with this accounts? Fair enough if you deem it inappropriate for a parent to sign their kid to any show, but I’m just not sure generalisations are helpful either.
If only school was like this….
I agree with Njk.
Thanks David. Of course it will still be easier for some to scream about exploitation rather than read your well written, succinct and unbiased article.
They have decided what they think about JMC and no amount of facts will dissuade them……seems to be a theme running through Australia at the moment!
I love the boy on the ad whi says “I’ll let you be the judge of that’ 🙂
Bob, people come to this website to read David’s reports and reviews everyday and have done so for quite some time. I doubt anyone would bother to seek out your negative drivel.
@Armchair analyst, would you feel the same if this was a sporting competition that the kids were filmimg and when they didn’t win their heat they were out. I don’t see this as exploitation in the way you do. These kids have a talent and these parents have found a forum for these kids to be recognised that they don’t otherwise have for example if they were very talented sportspeople. As far as kids getting kicked out I think the “every kid gets a trophy” mentality is destroying the value of winning and the achievemnet and sacrifice they need to do it.
Mind you I think it’s not very interesting telly anyway but good on the kids for having a crack.
Children’s participation in television shows is governed by DOCS legislation and rules. I would hope that DOCS does visit the set and insist that the legislation is being followed to the letter. These kids are working for nothing on a reality show. If they worked on a drama show they would be paid a minimum award with overtime, holiday pay etc. I think it is time that the drama award should be applied to reality shows with children. Despite all the arguments of positive experiences etc it is exploitation. Kids five days a week on a television set on a prime time television show made by a production company owned by Rupert Murdoch. Any reasonable person would call this work.
Junior Masterchef in my opinion is child exploitation in some form. Yes its not the Annie style exploitation where they work in factories ect, but its still a form none the less. I am not going to point the finger at the network or the production company but iam squarely pointing my arrow at the parents of the contestants. Parents should no better, if their child has a gift or a talent in the kitchen then video tape it and find George’s or Garry’s email or contact details and send the video in and ask if their child could be mentored by them or something similar, i know thats what i would do. Atleast that way the kids are not under huge pressure to perform which is what they are doing on the show, but they would instead get the nurturing and the help they need to make sure that their potential is fully realised. This show is a form of child exploitation no matter which way you spin it. My idea is not because with a mentor like Garry Meaghan if they have true talent in the kitchen they get to progress at their own pace free from the pressure to succeed every time, oh yeah and i haven mentioned the stress that these kids must be under when on a show like that. I am pretty sure the ones who get eliminated most likely throw in the towel and stop cooking, which is shame because kids at that earley age are highly impressionable. Yess i will also say that i little peice of me is jelous but i still stand by my comments and believe that they are correct, even if those parents will not admit it.
@Bob – ” I hope you took a toothbrush when you did that interview cause you spent a lot of time on yours knees, if you know what I mean.”
Er, no Bob, don’t know what you mean. Please explain? (Sorry Pauline).
Bob, I realise it’s easy to drop those digs behind internet anonymity. But as the article indicates, I went to the set, I watched the kids with my own eyes. I write as honestly as I can. I asked questions about all manner of Duty of Care both before, during and after production: about casting, parenting, shooting, supervisors, accommodation, hours worked, bullying, cooking procedures and more. I’m not sure what I left out. Based on the tone of your comments across this site, I really don’t think I could write anything that would meet with your agreement anyway.
Lovely article 🙂 Im looking forward to the show
Wow David. I hope you took a toothbrush when you did that interview cause you spent a lot of time on yours knees, if you know what I mean. Next time just let them write the thing it’ll be more or less the same story.
If Shine can lay out all this for the kid chefs, why do they have to treat the adult versions like crap!? The poor treatment they get adds nothing to the storyline and in the last season actually detracted from the show.