MasterChef Junior 2018 contestant Ben Watkins dies of cancer at 14, Gordon Ramsay offers condolence

Ben Watkins, a participant in MasterChef Junior in 2018, passed away due to cancer on Monday. He was 14.

The Watkins family shared a statement via their attorney. “Ben suffered more than his share in his fourteen years on this Earth, but we take solace in that his suffering is finally over and in that, in the end, Ben knew he was loved by so many,” the statement read.

Fox shared a statement that read, “It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Ben Watkins, a beloved member of the MasterChef Junior family. Ben overcame so much in his life with a remarkably positive attitude. He was a tremendous role model for chefs of all ages and will be dearly missed by everyone at EndemolShine North America and FOX Entertainment.”

MasterChef judge Gordon Ramsay took to Instagram to offer his condolences to Ben’s family. He wrote, “We lost a Master of the @masterchefjunior kitchen today. Ben you were an incredibly talented home cook and even stronger young man. Your young life had so many tough turns but you always persevered. I adored our time cooking and laughing together on set. Heartbroken today losing my little mate, sending all my love to Ben Watkins’ family with this terrible loss.”

We lost a Master of the @MasterChefJrFOX kitchen today. Ben you were an incredibly talented home cook and even stronger young man. Your young life had so many tough turns but you always persevered. Sending all the love to Ben Watkins’ family with this terrible loss Gx pic.twitter.com/RX81hP7lbw

— Gordon Ramsay (@GordonRamsay) November 17, 2020