TWO of the judges who grilled and guided the passionate home cooks in the previous season of MasterChef South Africa will return for the fresh fifth local rendition of the world’s most successful television culinary competition. However, this time, they will bring their expertise to a much larger audience, as MasterChef South Africa season five will be served up on free-to-air television in its new home on SABC3
After lifting the lid on culinary queen Zola Nene reprising her MasterChef judging role, the SABC3 and the show producers have confirmed that foodie dynamo Justine Drake will also be on judges’ duty.
“The aim of the show is to allow home cooks to achieve their MasterChef status. However, it doesn’t arrive on a silver platter. The participants are put to the test in gruelling challenges, and to reach the top of the culinary ladder, they have to be disciplined and willing to learn,” Justine says.
That’s why she encourages all home cooks who don’t just love cooking but who can’t imagine a life without cooking to enter this upcoming season of MasterChef South Africa. “If you have a culinary vision and are ready to work hard to achieve your culinary dream, the world is your oyster with this show.”
Joining Zola and Justin is one of the coolest chefs in the country, Katlego Mlambo. A guest judge on the previous season, Katlego says, “It’s amazing to know that I will be part of a show that’s a global phenomenon. It’s proof that if you believe in something, see it and taste it, it can become a reality. Being a MasterChef judge was on my bucket list.”
Katlego confesses that he is looking forward to being the one waiting to be served and not the other way around. “But even though I will be on the receiving end, tasting and judging the food while mentoring the contestants, I know I will also be inspired by their creations. One can never stop learning, and I can’t wait to experience the variety of cuisine created by contestants from different South African backgrounds”.
Entries are now open and The MasterChef South Africa season five winner will be able to boost their foodie future with a cash prize of R1 million. You’ll find the application form at masterchefsa.tv. The closing date for entries is 15 March 2024 at 11.59pm. MasterChef South Africa will be broadcast on SABC3 from mid-June. The show is produced by the multiple award-winning production company Homebrew Films in collaboration with Primedia Studios, with Pick n Pay as the headline sponsor.
