WHEN MasterChef South Africa sizzles onto S3 (SABC3) later this year, the vivacious TV chef, award-winning cookbook author and food stylist Zola Nene will be one of the three judges guiding and inspiring passionate home cooks to become culinary maestros.
Although the show’s new home on SABC will allow many South Africans to savour the delights dished up by the local version of the world’s biggest television cooking competition for the first time, Zola is no stranger to the MasterChef kitchen. Mzansi’s beloved food queen also turned on the heat in the show’s previous season on pay television.
Zola is boiling over with excitement about donning the judges’ hat again for MasterChef South Africa’s fresh fifth edition: “For a food fanatic like me, it’s such a joy and honour to be part of a show that celebrates our unique South African cuisine while giving local foodies a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make their dreams come true. It’s beautiful to watch how the contestants grow and unleash their full potential.”
In MasterChef South Africa, 20 home cooks from diverse backgrounds are put through the paces with various challenges, during which they create delicious dishes to impress the judges and avoid landing on the chopping board. Ultimately, the winner scoops up the coveted title of “MasterChef” and a tasty cash prize of R1 million.
Zola encourages everyone who shares her incredible passion for food to enter MasterChef South Africa: “It really doesn’t matter what your foodmaking forté is or which type of South African cuisine you dish up to tickle people’s taste buds. As long as you have an extensive knowledge of flavours and textures, love whipping up food feasts, know your way around the kitchen and have a brewing appetite to learn more about the art of cooking.”
If you have all the qualities described by Zola, you’ll find the MasterChef South Africa entry form here. The closing date for entries is 15 March 2024 at 11.59pm. MasterChef South Africa season five is produced by the multiple award-winning production company Homebrew Films for Primedia Studios and is sponsored by Pick n Pay. The two judges joining Zola on the show and the show’s launch date will be announced in due course.
