A 10-year-old from Prince George’s County showcased her culinary prowess on Gordon Ramsay’s holiday-themed “MasterChef Junior: Home for the Holidays,” marking an exciting moment for young cooking enthusiasts.
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MD — A 10-year-old prodigy from Upper Marlboro, alongside other talented junior chefs, recently captivated audiences on Gordon Ramsay’s festive two-night television special, “MasterChef Junior: Home for the Holidays.”
While many kids anticipate holiday gifts or dream of a white Christmas, the aspirations of Elijah Zelaya from Ellicott City and Zarah Spriggs from Upper Marlboro were centered on winning the coveted $25,000 prize on the competition.
Both Elijah, known as ChefElijah21 on Instagram, and Zarah had an extraordinary experience on the show. Judges Gordon Ramsay, Tilly Ramsay, Aaron Sanchez, and Daphne Oz presided over the intense culinary competition, highlighting the impressive skills of these young talents.
Starting their culinary journeys at tender ages, Zarah, a fifth-grader at Huntingtown Elementary School, honed her cooking skills with her mom, now running a successful cookie business, Aiden & Zarah’s NumNum Cookies, with her twin brother, Aiden.
Zarah enthusiastically shared about her early introduction to the culinary arts. “From a young age, my mother nurtured my passion for cooking, teaching me the basics when I was merely three years old,” Zarah fondly recalled. Her culinary repertoire boasts an array of delectable dishes, including salmon, mac and cheese, steak, and a gourmet grilled cheese adorned with succulent tomatoes. Zarah’s love for cooking shines through as she skillfully prepares these flavorful meals.
Elijah, a fifth-grader at a Howard County elementary school, developed a passion for cooking early on, progressing from his role as Mom’s little helper to mastering family meals and sharing his cooking adventures on Instagram.
“I’ve been in the kitchen since I was three, learning from my mom and family members. Now, I experiment with diverse cuisines, blending flavors from around the world,” Elijah shared with Patch.
Despite their remarkable culinary creations, the competition’s $25,000 prize went to 11-year-old Rae from Texas. However, the show was an invaluable learning experience for Zarah and Elijah, exposing them to new techniques, kitchen equipment, and valuable feedback from the judges, despite the nerve-wracking moments facing Master Chef Ramsay.
The show not only showcased their talents but also served as a platform for these budding chefs to expand their culinary horizons and share their passion for cooking with the world.
