I loved watching cooking competition especially when it features young prodigy child chefs. Presenting the latest cooking competition Man vs. Child: Chef Showdown by A+E Networks®’ Lifetime® (Astro Ch 709) which has premiere in Asia and we can catch it every Tuesday at 7pm on Astro Ch 709. This programs is one of its kind featuring pint-sized prodigies taking on culinary veterans and pits them against one another.
Hosted by chef and television personality Adam Gertler, the 13-episode series follows a team of five up-and-coming child cooking wunderkinds – Estie (8), Dylan (11), Emmalee (12), Cloyce (13) and Holden (14) – who face off against a different executive-level chef each week for bragging rights.

I was stoked to be able to meet one of the contestants in Malaysia, Chef Estie Kung. At only 8 years old, she’s the youngest contestant on Man vs. Child: Chef Showdown. This pint-sized chef will definitely give you a run for your money so don’t ever Under – Estie- Mate her *a tagline created by her fellow teammates*.
Today, Chef Estie Kung will be having a live cook-off with Chef Antoine Rodriquez, Executive Chef, Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur. Given only 20 minutes, each of them are required to present their selected dishes to us. Chef Estie was taking all this in stride, cooking and singing to Madonna’s song at the same time whilst Chef Antoine was fully focused on his dish.

Upon, finishing her dish, she whips up her favorite *banana* and started snacking it leisurely. Apparently, this is one of her signature move on Man vs. Child: Chef Showdown that gives additional pressure to her veteran opponents to cook faster. Certainly a great move on her part.

Being a friendly cook –off, no winners were announced but it was a great opportunity to watch Chef Estie in action and I was certainly impressed by her skills. During the interview, she answered every question confidently but of course there were moments that she needed mommy’s help. The event ended on a high note when Chef Estie decided to do an ugly picture pose that got all of laughing hilariously. I’m definitely rooting for the charming, witty Chef Estie and hope she will win this competition.
A+E Networks® definitely have a winner with Man vs. Child: Chef Showdown for its wholesome family entertainment. Here’s a peek of Episode 1, Season 1:
In conjunction with Man vs. Child: Chef Showdown, A+E Networks® has also launched ‘#JustAKid’ campaign in celebration of children on Lifetime. Michele Schofield, Senior Vice President, Programming & Production, A+E Networks Asia shares “Our aim is to showcase exceptional kids who prove that what young ones lack in experience, they make up for with creativity and enthusiasm. If given the chance, children will usually exceed expectations of grown-ups”. This is a sentiment that I totally agreed on and kudos to A+E Networks® for bringing such creative TV content to encourage kids to dream big.