Ben Watkins, a budding young culinary star who appeared in the sixth season of “Masterchef Jr.”, died Monday from a rare form of cancer, his family said. He was 14 years old.
Donna Edwards and Anthony Edwards, Ben’s mama and uncle, said in a statement on a GoFundMe page on Monday that “Ben went home with his mother today after a two-year long battle with cancer,” Donna Edwards and Anthony Edwards called #Love4. Says Ben. “Ben suffered more than his share in his fourteen years on this earth, but we endured and endured in that his suffering eventually ended, in the end, Ben knew he was loved by many,” the family said.
Trade McCain, organizer of the GoFundMe campaign and family lawyer, said in a statement that Ben was inspiring. “I’ve seen humanity and kindness come closer to the love and support Ben has received over the last three years,” Mr. McKane said.
Ben appeared on “Masterchef Jr.” on Fox in 2018 at the age of 11. He was one of six children from the Chicago area to attend that event that year.
In the premiere episode of the show, which featured 40 contestants between the ages of 8 and 13, competing for 24 slots and a તક 100,000 prize chance in the finals, Ben pulled the final white apron of the night by making a peach cobbler with whipped cream. Caramel sauce.
Ben ranked in the top 18 on the show, and became a fan favorite, especially as viewers learned about his family history.
In September 2017, according to the Chicago Tribune, Ben’s father, Michael Watkins, visited Gary, Ind. Ben’s mother shot and killed Leela Edwards before she killed herself. Ben’s grandmother and uncle became his legal guardians.
At the time, Ben had voiced his aspirations to become a chef and, like his father, dreamed of building his own restaurant, which opened Big Ben’s Bodekius Barbecue & Deli in Gary. The Rest .Runt, The Tribune noted that Ben was named.
Ben also worked at his father’s restaurant, the newspaper said, running a cash register, taking orders and selling homemade cookies, brownies, cinnamon rolls and banana bread. He credited his baking skills to his mother, saying, “My mom taught me all that. Or I picked it up just by looking at it. “
A statement on the show’s Instagram account said Ben had a “significant positive attitude” and was a “tremendous role model” for chefs of all ages.
Host of Gordon Ramsay, Celebrity Chef and “Masterchef Jr.” Said in a statement On Tuesday that Ben was a smart home cook and a strong young man. Mr. Ramsay said, “There were a lot of tough turns in your young life, but you always kept going.”
After his 13th birthday, Ben was diagnosed with angiometoid fibrous histiocytoma, his family said. U.S. According to the National Library of Medicine, this condition is a rare soft tissue tumor that commonly appears in children and young adults.
Ben’s uncle, Mr. Edwards, told The Tribune in August Gust that two years ago doctors thought Ben’s growing tumor in his throat was a malignant lymph node. “But even after treatment, the tumor continued to bleed,” he said.
In late July, Ben began chemotherapy treatment for tumors in his lungs, spine and shoulders, The Tribune reported.
Ben’s family and community rallied behind him.
Family friend Katie Clark told the newspaper that Ben, like his mother, was burning a room. “It’s polite, outgoing, smart, funny, and even in adolescence it’s not always the case that kids enter that stage of life.”
