FOOD TVNadia Sawalha: 'I envy the little chefs!'

'Masterchef Mummy' Nadia Sawalha is on her hunt for the best young cook in the country

Nadia Sawalha was ecstatic when asked to present the first ever series of Junior MasterChef  – yet slightly nervous the young competitors would show the adults up!

"They could certainly give the grown-ups a run for their money," claims the popular TV presenter and former Celebrity MasterChef champion. "The standard of entrants was gobsmacking; much higher than we expected and some of their dishes were enviable – so much so that I asked them for the recipes!"

More than 2,000 youngsters aged between nine and 12 applied to show their passion and flair for cooking in the 13-part CBBC series starting this week.

Only 31 have made it through to eight gruelling heats in which they have to cook a two-course meal in an hour and reproduce a dish demonstrated by Nadia or fellow presenter, MasterChef judge John Torode.

"The first four entrants have to make toad-in-the-hole and I could have happily have eaten them all," says Nadia, who wowed the judges herself with her stunning sea bass dish (see recipe below) in 2007. "I gave a master class in Middle Eastern food and one girl’s hummus was the best I’ve ever tasted – better than mine!"

There’s a very special challenge in store for the four strongest cooks going through to the semi-final: a visit to the Doctor Who set, a ride in the TARDIS and then preparing lunch for the Doctor.

They’ll also face MasterChef’s Invention Test and the infamous Critic’s Table where they’ll cook for writers including Tracy Beaker creator, Dame Jacqueline Wilson.

"The children are certainly not afraid of a challenge," says Nadia, who regularly cooks with her seven-year-old daughter, Maddy, who calls her ‘MasterChef Mummy’.

"It’s daunting working in the MasterChef kitchen; there was a feeling in my stomach of absolute dread when I first walked in, so I know how nervous they are," adds Nadia.

"It means the world to the kids to win and it’s lovely to see their enthusiasm. I’m convinced we’re seeing some future chefs in this series. I can’t wait to eat in their restaurants!"

FOOD TVRecipe

Full Recipe: Nadia Sawalha's sea bass with tahini sauce, carrot salad and saffron rice