Little Chef Ivy Talks Nickelodeon And TIME’s Kid Of The Year – Exclusive Interview

Little Chef Ivy (MasterChef Junior) had the honor of helping with Nickelodeon And TIME’s Kid Of The Year and we were lucky enough to get a chance to speak with her about the process as well as her career.

TUNEIN: Nickelodeon, TIME and TIME for Kids first-ever Kid of the Year TV Special will air Friday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon.

BSCKids: Little Chef Ivy…Tell us how it felt to know that you were going to be one of the people involved in helping pick the five honorees Nickelodeon and TIME’s Kid of the Year?

Little Chef Ivy: It was so exciting and mind boggling to know that I was going to be one of the people involved in helping to pick the top 5 honorees.

How was it working with Dylan Gilmer, Chinguun Sergelen, Sky Katz, Raunak Singh and Tiana Sirmans?

It was so fun to work with Dylan, Chinguun, Sky, and everyone else. They were all so nice and had so many interesting ideas.

Nickelodeon, TIME and TIME for Kids’ first-ever Kid of the Year TV special is set to simulcast on Friday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m. (ET/PT) across Nickelodeon, TV Land, TeenNick and Nicktoons. Hosted by Trevor Noah (The Daily Show with Trevor Noah), the special will introduce the top five Kid of the Year honorees, along with kids performing incredible “acts of awesome,” ahead of the ultimate Kid of the Year being named.

What did you think was the toughest thing about narrowing it down to five kids?

The toughest thing about narrowing it down to five kids was that they are all so unique and important in so many different ways. It was hard not to pick everyone.

Was there any fun stories you can share with us that you had with the other judges as you worked together to pick the top five?

One of the fun stories I can share is when we all had lunch after shooting and we had a little rap session. Young Dylan and Trevor Noah even had an amazing rap battle.

Celebrity guests making appearances throughout the special include Kristen Bell, Simone Biles, Dixie D’Amelio, Billie Eilish, Rob Gronkowski, Neil Patrick Harris, Chris Hemsworth, Ken Jeong, Angelina Jolie, Chloe Kim, Brie Larson, Zachary Levi, Russell Westbrook and Malala Yousafzai, among others.

What do you feel is the most impactful thing you have done so far in your career?

The most impactful thing that I have done is being able to represent the dwarfism community.

Being a chef, what is your favorite thing to make/eat over the holidays?

One time I had a Friendsgiving and I made an amazingly juicy turkey, it was soooo delicious.

Chosen from a nationwide search that received over 5,000 inspirational kids being nominated, the five honorees were selected with the help of an influential kid committee comprised of Dylan Gilmer (Tyler Perry’s Young Dylan), Chinguun Sergelen (All That), Little Chef Ivy (MasterChef Junior), Sky Katz (Raven’s Home), and TIME for Kids Kid Reporters Raunak Singh and Tiana Sirmans, who also appear in the special.

What is something that people would be surprised to learn about you?

I have so many underestimated hobbies like skiing, skateboarding, painting, biking, hiking, ice skating, roller skating, dancing, gardening, improv, sewing, doing hair, golfing, and much more.

What would you say your favorite Nickelodeon show of all time is?

My favorite Nickelodeon show of all time is Game Shakers.

If you could cook something for the top five finalists, what would it be and why?

I would cook a holiday friends extravaganza dinner filled with everyone’s favorites.

Anything else you can tell us that you have coming up in the future?

You’ll just have to wait and see. 😊

Special thanks to Little Chef Ivy for taking the time out to talk with us, and we congratulate her on her role of helping picking the Kid of the Year!

The first-ever Kid of the Year honor is a multiplatform initiative recognizing extraordinary young leaders who are making a positive impact in their communities. The ultimate Kid of the Year will be featured on a cover of TIME with a companion story in TIME for Kids.