My cooking show tastes have changed significantly over the past few years. I used to prefer shows that displayed cooking a meal start to finish, but now those are relegated to background noise at best. If there's meaningful discussion about ingredient choices or cooking methods I'm all ears, but beyond that the recipes are a google search away and I no longer feel I gain anything from watching someone dice an onion or throw a chicken cutlet on a grill pan. Sorry Giada, Ina, and especially Ree, but while you've each got excellent recipes which I almost consider T&T before even trying, your shows have become painful for me to watch. Unlike others who have commented above, I now actually prefer some of the competition shows. Chopped, Iron Chef... what can be more inspirational than watching accomplished chefs pull creativity out of their @sses under the pressure of competition and time constraint, and see what works and what doesn't? Much more interesting to me than watching someone execute a recipe. If you were to judge by my DVR or dinner table you'd see that I take the most inspiration from shows that "observe food" and at most give a few minute Cliff's note of the preparation. They give me an idea from which I can google and/or improvise on my own. To that end, while the goofy catch phrases and grease-dripping-down-the beard are a major turn-off, Guy's DD&D has influenced my kitchen most in recent memory. It's typically nothing gourmet (heck, look at the name of the show) but it's got some good looking food. I'm also a growing fan of Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown because it's so not boring.

I've seen that cookbook and I want it! I assume that recipe isn't from it though since it's not vegan? Did you try it? It sounds good! I also want Tal Ronnen's book, as well as the Raw cookbook from Charlie Trotter. Someday....

Of course there are things that go on behind the scenes, but that doesn't diminish the kids' talent. Not to mention how entertaining some of them are! Dcarch, you sound a little jealous. ;) "Birdsong and her culinary team of as many as 26 people teach the kids cooking classes in between episodes, walking them through the techniques they need to succeed and giving them safety training. The MasterChef classroom is identical to the set — same ovens, same food processors — so the contestants can get familiar with the equipment. The culinary team squeezes in as many classes for the kids as they can given the short amount of time children are legally allowed to be on the Paramount lot every day. “The kids are here to learn as much as they can the whole time,” she says. Birdsong says she doesn’t teach the kids exactly what to do for a challenge, but rather shows them a basic and (most importantly) the fastest way to accomplish things like make a sauce or filet a fish. There are lots of different ways to make a piecrust, for example, but one way is probably best when you’re racing the clock. The kids have the option of writing down and memorizing anything from class. “We teach a very basic application that works in our environment and that’s what they tend to stay with, and it’s their choice if they go off that mark [during a challenge],” she says, adding that the adults who receive the same classes are more likely to revert to their personal cooking methods." source: Behind The Scenes Of The Cutest Cooking Show On Television

Do google searches on "cooking show auditions for kids", "cooking show casting", "teen cooking show auditions", "high school cooking show" and the like. There are sites that claim to have them all, but they don't. The best way to find the right thing is to read through all the lists. You can also go the network websites of channels that show cooking competitions and look for a link to casting, or to a likely show itself. Good luck.