The son of a Marion County firefighter will soon be competing against 11 other young contestants in season 9 of MasterChef Junior, a popular Fox series featuring celebrity chef and restaurateur Gordon Ramsay.
Dean Seegobin, a 21-year Marion County Fire Rescue veteran currently assigned to MCFR Station 27 in Weirsdale, will be joined by his fellow firefighters and the Professional Firefighters of Marion County as they cheer on Dean’s son, Michael Seegobin.
Michael and the 11 other MasterChef Junior contestants were selected from hundreds of applicants to compete and impress internationally celebrated and famous chefs. This season’s chef judges include Gordon Ramsay, Aarón Sánchez, Daphne Oz, and Gordon’s daughter, Tilly Ramsay.
A talented chef, Michael loves to cook seafood, and he is currently working on perfecting his pastry skills.
“While we aren’t sure who will win the competition, we are proud of Michael’s effort to stand in front of the camera and face his competition and such renowned chefs,” stated the Professional Firefighters of Marion County (PFFMC) in a media release.
MCFR Fire Chief James Banta also extended his heartfelt wishes of good luck to Michael as the young chef embarks on an exhilarating journey through the televised competition.
“Michael’s culinary talent and dedication inspire us all, and we are immensely proud to name him the official Master Junior Chef of Marion County Fire Rescue,” added the fire chief.
To watch Michael compete in the upcoming season of MasterChef Junior, tune in to your local Fox station on Monday, March 4 at 8 p.m. EST.
Michael now joins local food celebrities Rashad Jones, Yohann Le Bescond, and Bev Hansen in bringing attention to the Ocala food scene.