Vanessa Lachey & Curtis Stone Sign on for Universal Kids’ Top Chef Junior

TV personality Vanessa Lachey and chef Curtis Stone have come on board Top Chef Junior, which will premiere on Universal Kids this October.

Lachey will host the Top Chef spin-off, while Stone will serve as head judge. The 14-episode series will launch on NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment’s network Universal Kids, which is rebranding from Sprout in September. Top Chef Junior will see 12 young chefs between the ages of 9 and 14 compete in culinary challenges such as Restaurant Wars and Conveyor Belt, as well as brand-new kid-friendly ones. There will also be excursions within Los Angeles and special appearances by celebrity guest judges.

Top Chef Junior is produced by Magical Elves, the Emmy Award-winning team behind Bravo’s Top Chef. Universal Kids will target children aged 2 to 11.