‘MasterChef Junior’: Gordon Ramsay calls Season 9 ‘most competitive’ ever

'MasterChef Junior' Season 9 first look

On Season 9, Gordon Ramsay’s daughter Tilly will join the "MasterChef Junior" judging panel. (Credit: FOX)

LOS ANGELES - "Lettuce" celebrate: Gordon Ramsay’s popular, pint-sized reality cooking competition series "MasterChef Junior" will return to FOX Monday for its ninth season.

"I am so excited it’s back," Ramsay said in a first-look video teasing the upcoming season, which will debut on March 4.

This season, the celebrity chef’s daughter Tilly Ramsay will also join the judging panel. In December, she was a judge on FOX’s holiday special "MasterChef Junior: Home for the Holidays."

"It’s really nice interacting with the kids, because I’m not that far off in age to them," the 22-year-old shared. "Every year I think the competition intensifies. They’re not scared of a single thing."

Contestant Lilo and Gordon Ramsay in the "Eating Emoji" season premiere episode. (Credit: Greg Gayne/FOX)

Acclaimed chefs Aaron Sanchez and Daphne Oz will also return to the show as judges.

The series gives 12 talented kids between the ages of 8 and 13 the chance to showcase their culinary abilities and passion for food through a series of delicious challenges.

For their first challenge, the junior chefs will each be given an emoji cookie and have one hour to prepare a dish that represents the emotion behind it. The chef with the best dish will not only be safe from elimination but will also win a trip to Las Vegas.

And, the winner of this season will receive the title of the next "MasterChef Junior" champion, taking home a trophy and a $100,000 grand prize.