Despite initial nervousness about filming, the Alabama chef quickly adapted to the fast-paced environment and immediately felt at home among the other members of the show’s cast. “One of my favorite moments was meeting all the kids and judges because I always thought cooking brings people together and that’s exactly what it did on MasterChef Junior,” McGlynn tells Mashed. And McGlynn has some words of wisdom for cooking show hopefuls: “Follow your dreams. Always have fun with what you do and experiment with different things.”
McGlynn also gained a lot of kitchen knowledge during his time on the show. “The flambéing was huge and it’s so much fun. It’s just really cool to see a huge flame go up and it gets you all warm,” he tells Mashed. The “MasterChef Junior” champion put a lot of thought into his menu for the finals, drawing inspiration from his grilling experiences with his father, Mike. “I really wanted to combine my Southern charm and traditions with my knowledge of barbecue and grilling competitions,” says McGlynn. What is the young grill master’s best tip for barbecue beginners? “Use a Thermapen and make sure everything is cooked the way you want it.”
