MUMBAI: UK pubcaster BBC‘s kids entertainment channel CBBC has commissioned a new series of Junior MasterChef, following the success of the adult version of the cookery talent contest.

The channel is finalising on contestants to take part in the challenge. The series will be broadcast later this year.Based on the MasterChef format and the junior version seen on Children In Need, Junior MasterChef will give some of Britain‘s best young cooks the chance to become the ‘Junior MasterChef‘ 2010.

The competition aims to find and encourage talented young cooks who have a flair for making exceptional food from scratch.

As part of the contest, in each level, children will be challenged to cook a two-course meal (main and pudding) in just one hour. The 13-part series will have eight heats, two quarter-finals, two semis and a final cook-off with the remaining three children.

The competitors will be aged between nine and 12 year-olds who have real passion, enthusiasm and potential.

BBC Children‘s controller Richard Deverell says, "It‘s wonderful to announce this new series following the success of the special ‘Children in Need‘ episode."

"We hope to inspire children round the country to get cooking in what promises to be an aspirational, fun and enjoyable cooking competition," he adds.