Chef Graham Elliot judges in “MasterChef Junior”

How can you tell when a TV show is a hit?

Well, there's the usual metrics, I guess. Ratings, water cooler chit-chat, Internet buzz. The first season of Fox's "MasterChef Junior" had all of those things, but consider this little metric: Fox ordered up a third season of the pint-sized culinary competition before it had even begun production of the second.

As odd as that seems -- it sounds a bit like putting the cart before the horse -- it really shouldn't be all that surprising. "MasterChef" itself is a hugely successful show, and the first season of "MasterChef Junior" was hailed by critics, with some claiming that it was even better than its parent program.

Well, the second season is finally upon us. "MasterChef Junior" premieres Tuesday, Nov. 4, on Fox, and while the knives may -- metaphorically -- come out in the grown-up version, "Junior" likes to keep things a bit more civil.

The "MasterChef" franchise is appealing because it takes the best of reality TV and distils it into something that's a pleasure to watch (a generous dose of Gordon Ramsay doesn't hurt, either). "Junior" finds real kids with a passion in the kitchen competing against each other, facing whatever challenges the three judges put before them until only one of them remains to be named MasterChef.

Of course, Ramsay has a notoriously naughty mouth on him, a fact that people were quick to point out in the lead-up to the first season of "MasterChef Junior." While the sight of his eyes flashing while he shouts obscenities at people may be part of the chef's appeal, the goodwill towards him would probably have quickly evaporated.

Instead, we got to witness his rarely seen softer side. Ramsay, along with judges Joe Bastianich and Graham Elliot, are all fathers themselves, and the pride in their eyes as they watched students pick up the skills they were showing them was, frankly, straight-up heartwarming to watch.

It's important to nurture a child's passions, and young home cooks with a competitive streak have found the perfect nursery in "MasterChef Junior." With all three judges in full-on father mode, it really is one of the most rewarding shows to watch. Season 2 premieres Tuesday, Nov. 4, on Fox.