Tuna and seaweed? Yikes! Tricky ingredients like these might stymie a lesser cook, but Bryson McGlynn knew exactly how to handle them on “MasterChef Junior.”

Bryson, 12, is competing on Season 9 of the FOX reality series. After winning the first challenge on the season debut, he admitted to feeling some pressure on Monday’s episode. “I’m so excited that I won the last challenge, but now I got a target on my back,” Bryson said. “Everyone’s coming for me, so I just gotta roll with the punches.”

READ: Alabama boy aces ‘MasterChef Junior’ debut with steak dish: ‘It’s like the tower of power of meat’

His culinary instincts and skills served him well, however. Although he didn’t win the second challenge, Bryson easily escaped elimination and will continue to cook in the competition. If you didn’t watch this week’s episode — or simply want a refresher on the “MasterChef” action — here’s what happened.

Who he is: Bryson is an Auburn resident who goes by the nickname of “Cheese Curd.” He’s a sixth-grader at Fox Run School in Opelika and the son of son of Mike and Shannon McGlynn. Bryson’s also a young grillmaster and barbecue specialist who competes in grilling competitions with his father. (Mike, a Wisconsin native, earned the nickname “Cheese” when he moved to Alabama, and that prompted his son’s moniker.) Bryson hopes to be a chef one day and have his own food truck.

What’s at stake: The winner of “MasterChef Junior” receives receives a trophy, bragging rights and $100,000 prize. Eleven contestants remained on the show this week, after one (Breanna Williams of Burbank, California) was eliminated on the March 4 episode.

How it works: Four chefs act as judges on “MasterChef Junior” throughout the season, making decisions on who stays and who goes. Along with head honcho Gordon Ramsay, the judging panel includes Aarón Sánchez, Daphne Oz and Tilly Ramsay, Gordon Ramsay’s daughter. Weekly cooking challenges and eliminations trim the list of contestants until a single cook remains.

This week’s challenge: Theme for the episode was “Under the Sea.” Each junior cook chose a closed treasure chest that contained a specific type of seafood As a twist, they were required to use seaweed as an ingredient in their dishes. (One grossed-out contestant compared the slimy stuff to “boogers under the sea.”) The kids had one hour to decide how to prepare the fish, grab ingredients from the “MasterChef” pantry and cook a delectable dish for the judges. The winner of the challenge received immunity from elimination and a bonus prize: A family trip to a resort in California.

What Bryson cooked: Tuna steak with seaweed salad.

How Bryson fared: He was among the contestants declared safe this week. Bryson’s tuna dish wasn’t featured on the episode, as the judges focused on food prepared by the top three — and bottom three — contestants.

Bryson’s reaction: “I had the best time cooking with the different ingredients,” he said Tuesday via Instagram. “This dish didn’t get me into the top 3, but I am swimming into next week with full force.”

Challenge winner: Asher Niles, 8, of Yakima, Washington.

Eliminated: Jason Sun, 9, of San Gabriel, California.

Still in the competition: Along with Bryson and Asher, the 10 remaining contestants are Alfred Eggermont, 11, of Binford, North Dakota; Jordyn Joyner, 8, of Greensboro, North Carolina; Kristell Jean, 10, of Austin, Texas; Lilo Tsai, 9, of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Lydia Ledon, 9, of Atlanta, Georgia; Michael Seegobin, 11, of New Smyrna, Florida: Miles Platt, 10, of College Station, Texas; and Remy Powell, 10, of Hollywood, Florida.

Next up: In an episode called “Globetrotters,” the contestants divide into teams and cook hearty meals for members of the Harlem Globetrotters. “Each team must whip up a meal that satisfies the players’ big appetites while meeting their dietary restrictions,” a Fox press release says.

If you watch: “MasterChef Junior” airs on Mondays at 7 p.m. CT on FOX, and streams the following day on Hulu.