A Marion firefighter’s son earned top honors during MasterChef Junior this week, advancing one step closer to the finals and a chance to win $100,000.
Michael Seegobin was one of four chefs who wowed the judges during Monday night’s episode of MasterChef Junior, which aired on Fox at 8 p.m. EST.
During the episode, Seegobin and his fellow chefs were tasked with crafting dishes using their “nightmare” ingredients.
Seegobin’s ingredient was mushrooms, which he said he developed a distaste for through a dish crafted by his dad.
“I just absolutely hated the way he cooked them,” said Seegobin. When asked by judge Daphne Oz whether he might be throwing his dad “under the bus,” Seegobin had a terse reponse.
“Yes,” said the young chef to laughter.
Said Seegobin of his dish, “it’s basically like a reduced down stock with coconut milk and chicken stock, greens, mushrooms.”
After tasting his dish, the judges told Seegobin that it was “extremely well-seasoned and had great flavors.”
Seegobin’s dish was so well made that it garnered him top honors once again in the show, a designation he has won multiple times before.
Seegobin went on to win best dish and was awarded a prize of electronic bikes.
“I’m not only safe from this challenge, I get the e-bikes for me and my family. I get one step closer to making it to the finale,” said Seegobin after his dish ranked best. “I am so excited right now.”
During the first few weeks of the competition, Seegobin has showcased his skills and earned top honors multiple times. He was among 12 contestants who were selected from hundreds of applicants.
Seegobin loves to cook seafood and is currently working on his pastry skills. He is the son of Dean Seegobin, a 21-year Marion County Fire Rescue veteran.
The young chef’s father is currently assigned to MCFR Station 27 in Weirsdale.
During a recent visit to the station, Seegobin and his father whipped up a surf and turf lunch for Fire Chief James Banta and the crew at Weirsdale Station #27.
Tune into the next episode of MasterChef Junior on Fox on Monday at 8 p.m. to watch and support Michael Seegobin.