To no surprise, FOX has ordered a second season of MasterChef Junior. Airing for eight episodes on Friday nights, the first season averaged a 1.4 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 4.02 million total viewers.

There’s no word on when season two will air but casting will get underway next month.

Here’s the network’s press release:

“MASTERCHEF JUNIOR” GOES BACK FOR SECONDS!

FOX Orders Season Two of Hit Cooking Competition Series for Kids

Season Two Open Casting Calls Begin in New York City and Chicago on January 18

FOX has renewed hit cooking competition series MASTERCHEF JUNIOR for a second season, it was announced today by Kevin Reilly, Chairman of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company.

“MASTERCHEF JUNIOR is one of the few shows on television that the entire family can truly enjoy together, and I can’t wait to see what Gordon, Joe, Graham and the next round of rambunctious, ridiculously talented junior chefs cook up in Season Two,” said Reilly.

MASTERCHEF JUNIOR gives talented kids between the ages of eight and 13 the chance to showcase their culinary ability and passion for food through a series of delicious challenges. Host and award-winning Chef Gordon Ramsay is joined by restaurateur and winemaker Joe Bastianich (Del Posto, Eataly) and acclaimed chef Graham Elliot (Graham Elliot Bistro) on the MASTERCHEF JUNIOR judging panel.

During its first season, MASTERCHEF JUNIOR averaged 5.1 million total viewers and ranked No. 1 in its time period among Adults 18-49, Adults 18-34, Women 18-49/18-34, Men 18-49/18-34 and Teens. MASTERCHEF JUNIOR improved FOX’s performance in the time period versus last year by +58% among Adults 18-49. In addition, MASTERCHEF JUNIOR averaged a +50% lift from its Live + Same Day to its Live +7 Adults 18-49 rating – the largest percentage gain of any unscripted series on the Big 4 networks.

Open casting calls for Season Two of MASTERCHEF JUNIOR will be held in the following cities:

Cities Dates/Time Address

New York City, NY Saturday, Jan. 18 /10:00 AM-6:00 PM Location TBD

Chicago, IL Saturday, Jan. 18 /10:00 AM-6:00 PM Hyatt Chicago 633 N. St. Clair Street Chicago, IL 60611

Los Angeles, CA Saturday, Jan. 25 /10:00 AM-6:00 PM The Radisson LAX 6225 W. Century Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90045

Dallas, TX Saturday, Jan. 25 /10:00 AM-6:00 PM Hyatt Regency 300 Reunion Blvd. Dallas, TX 75207

Visit masterchefjuniorcasting.com for the most up-to-date audition information. Details, including venues and times, to be announced.

MASTERCHEF JUNIOR is produced by Shine America and One Potato Two Potato, and is based on a format created by Franc Roddam and Shine. Shine International handles distribution for the MASTERCHEF format. Elisabeth Murdoch, Eden Gaha, Paul Franklin, Robin Ashbrook, Gordon Ramsay, Adeline Ramage Rooney, Patricia Llewellyn and Ben Adler serve as executive producers.

“Like” MASTERCHEF JUNIOR on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MasterChefJuniorFOX. Follow the series on Twitter @MasterChefJrFOX and join the discussion using #masterchefjunior.

About One Potato Two Potato

One Potato Two Potato was co-founded by Gordon Ramsay and Optomen Television in 2008 to exclusively create and produce worldwide content for Ramsay ventures across all media, including television, digital and publishing. Renowned for award-winning original programming, the company produces high-quality TV shows on both sides of the Atlantic, including the smash-hit HOTEL HELL, which was the highest-rated new network show of summer 2012; the blockbuster MASTERCHEF and new hit MASTERCHEF JUNIOR, all for FOX; major food competition series “Food Court Wars”; as well as massive U.K. hit “Gordon Ramsay Behind Bars” and “Gordon Ramsay’s Great Escape” for Channel 4; and “My Kitchen,” for UKTV’s Good Food Channel. Ramsay’s groundbreaking and hugely popular Channel 4 series, “Cookalong: LIVE,” aired as a special on FOX and has since become a successful format around the world. OPTP is also currently in development on several exciting unscripted and scripted projects, within and beyond the food genre, for network, cable and digital platforms in the U.S., U.K. and around the world. OPTP distributes its hugely popular TV programming and formats to more than 200 territories via Optomen International. The company became part of the All3Media group in 2010. Find out more about One Potato Two Potato at onepotatotwopotato.tv.

About Shine America

Shine America is a world leader in producing and distributing compelling scripted and unscripted television and digital content. Shine America is known for popular and award-winning original series including “The Biggest Loser” and “The Face,” as well as adaptations of Shine Group formats such as MASTERCHEF, MASTERCHEF JUNIOR, “Minute to Win It” and the upcoming series SLIDE SHOW, as well as scripted series including “The Bridge” and the upcoming GRACEPOINT. Shine America incorporates several divisions, including unscripted format label Ardaban and Shine Latino, which develops and distributes original Spanish-language content to the U.S. marketplace. The company also has a joint-venture with award-winning producer Nigel Lythgoe (Nigel Lythgoe Productions). The global Shine 360° division builds brands through the leveraging of its intellectual property and creating integrated marketing opportunities for advertisers. The company has also developed over 20 groundbreaking original online series on MSN, Yahoo!, YouTube premium channels and other platforms, many produced in partnership with global brands. Through Shine Group’s distribution arm, Shine International, Shine America distributes its extensive library of programming and formats to more than 150 countries. Visit www.shineamerica.com for further information.

What do you think? Did you enjoy the first season of MasterChef Junior? Will you watch season two?