After all the drama of the previous MasterChef South Africa episode, with contestant Shreya quitting and top contender Refe being shown the door, the remaining eight home cooks know they must beef up their game to stay in the competition.
However, in the next sizzling episode of the world-class reality show cooking competition (which will premiere on S3 on Saturday, 21 September at 20:30 due to live sport with a rebroadcast on Sunday, 22 September at 18:30 on SABC2), their kitchen survival will be sprinkled with great fun – the traditional Mzansi way.
While South Africans everywhere will gather with friends and family to ‘gooi kole’,celebrating our upcoming Heritage Day, also known as National Braai Day, the MasterChef South Africa contestants are tasked to take it one step further than the usual charcoal, lamb chops, chicken skewers or braaibroodjies, roosterkoek, and amagwinya, and of course pap and wors. They must make the most delicious wors imaginable from scratch in the old-fashioned way. Furthermore, the wors must be accompanied by a modern starch dish, a tasty sauce or gravy.
For this smoking hot challenge, they will receive a retro hand grinder as well as a butcher’s parcel containing an array of fresh meat for which MasterChef South Africa‘s proud sponsor, Pick n Pay, is renowned. In their mystery boxes, they will also find sheep’s fat, beef tallow, sheep’s casings and a variety of herbs and spices.
Another exciting twist in producing their signature wors is that they will show off their braai skills on a modern, sought-after Hibachi grill.
It’s a daunting task, particularly with all the meat options, but luckily, these home cooks will be mentored by one of Pick n Pay’s top butchers, Noziphiwo “Nozi” Mfabe, who will also share some amazing tips and tricks which viewers can use at home.
Ironically, this challenge would have been right up ousted Refe’s culinary alley, who wowed the judges with her meatballs evoking flavours of pap and wors. Another contestant who would have fared well is Naledi, who will also not be competing, as her previous winning dish earned her a place on the gantry.
Strangely, fierce competitor Naledi might not have been a threat but an asset to the other home cooks this week. Why? It’s a team challenge, and Naledi’s strengths include elevating traditional dishes.
The team challenge soon becomes a mind-bender for the home cooks who have never made wors. For starters, the math doesn’t add up.
The eight MasterChef South Africa contestants who are still competing to win the coveted title of MasterChef and the R1 million rand in prize money: Amogelang Maluleka from Pretoria; the show’s youngest home cook, 20-year-old Bridget Bridget Mangwandi; Durban-born Chanel Brink; the Eastern Cape’s Lona Rode; Nabila Shamshum from Johannesburg; Naledi Matshitse, a Muldersdrift homemaker; Nash, Zimbala from Bryanston; 65-year-old Penny Rider, the oldest contestant on the show.
To join the MasterChef South Africa buzz on social media, visit Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), and use the hashtag #MasterChefSA. You can also go to the Pick n Pay handles (@PicknPay) on all these platforms.
MasterChef South Africa, sponsored by Pick n Pay, usually premieres on S3 on Saturday nights at 19:30 but will be broadcast at 20:30 on Saturday, 21 September. The rebroadcasts are on SABC2 on Sundays at 18:30 and S3 on Wednesdays at 18:00.