After a tumultuous time in the pressure-cooker Celebrity MasterChef South Africa kitchen, multi-talented media personality Dineo Ranaka, singer-songwriter Holly Rey, fashion designer Mzukisi Mbane, and style icon Seth Shezi advanced to the show’s semi-final.
From there, the two celebrity chefs who whip up the most delicious dishes will face off in the final, vying for the coveted title of Mzansi’s “Celebrity MasterChef” and R1 million in prize money, which will be shared 50/50 with a charity of their choice.
The semi-final premieres on S3 (formerly SABC3) on Saturday, 28 December, at 20:30, and the final follows on Saturday, 4 January. The star-studded six-part spin-off of the popular cooking competition also enjoys convenient rebroadcasts on SABC2 on Sundays at 18:30 and S3 on Wednesdays at 18:00.
In Celebrity MasterChef South Africa, a special television treat for the festive season proudly sponsored by Pick n Pay, twelve famous South Africans with a passion for food and culinary flair were divided into four groups. One group at a time, the celebrities then had to bowl over MasterChef’s esteemed judges – Chef Katlego Mlambo, Zola Nene, and Justine Drake – with scrumptious meals that would secure one competitor in the group a spot in the penultimate cook-off.
These four episodes, called “heats”, also comprised a quick challenge where the star serving the best dish could bag R20 000 for a worthy cause. Despite not proceeding to the next round, former Bafana Bafana midfielder Reneilwe “Yeye” Letsholonyane, actor Bohang Moeko and Afrikaans rock star Danie du Toit boosted their charities’ bank balances. Only Seth nailed both challenges in an episode – the quick test and the all-important semi-final qualifier.
However, in the semi-final, the bar will be raised for Seth and his fierce competitors in a single and immensely intense fine-dining test. Seth, Holly, Dineo and Mzukisi must recreate and add a personal touch to an elegant and intricate ensemble dish the judges conceptualised.
According to the esteemed judges, their magnificent French-trimmed lamb with pistachio, herb crust, sorghum risotto, miso, and romesco sauce was intentionally designed to display the four contenders’ understanding of flavour, colour, texture, and presentation. It will also demonstrate their adeptness at balancing the components of a protein, a starch, a vegetable, and a sauce.
If only they had the luxury of time! The clock, which proved to be the scariest adversary in the kitchen for these Celebrity MasterChef contestants in the previous round, will be set at 60 minutes.
But some other dynamics will add to the heightened anxiety levels. Besides knowing that their performance might change the plight of the NGOs they’re playing for, Mzukisi has never cooked or tasted sorghum. Furthermore, the flavour profile Chef Katlego assembled for the beautiful rack of lamb is unfamiliar to Dineo. Seth’s perfectionism and dislike of replicating someone else’s dish might be obstacles, and Holly knows very well that she will have to stay calm and not succumb to distractions.
Adding a pinch of drama to the mix, the judges have a surprise up their sleeves at the halfway mark, and an injury slows someone down.
Who will crumble under the pressure? And who will make it through to the final?
The four semi-finalists’ MasterChef story so far:
HOLLY REY
No stranger to the sweet taste of victory, KZN’s house chanteuse, who was the first woman to scoop a SAMA for Record of the Year, won the first edition of S3 and Primedia Studios’ SAFTA-winning mystery music extravaganza The Masked Singer South Africa and whose cooking show Baking with the Reys clinched the 2024 SAFTA Golden Horn for Best Children’s Programme, admitted more than once on Celebrity MasterChef South Africa that she was “freaking out” in the MasterChef kitchen.
In the first episode, in which Holly cooked off against soccer legend Reneilwe “Yeye” Letsholonyane and former television presenter Prim Reddy, her quick challenge attempt to transform a guilty food pleasure into a MasterChef-worthy meal unfortunately did not meet the judges’ high expectations.
The freaked-out Holly knew her Milk tart samoosa with custard, filo pastry, naartjie and cinnamon syrup “had some problems”. Judge Zola agreed with Holly that the pastry was “a bit raw”, and Chef Katlego wished the custard was also more cooked. With these two elements not up to scratch, judge Justine bitingly remarked that Holly’s cooking might not be as good as her singing.
However, in the next challenge, Justine had to eat her words. “Holly, you can cook!” the picky judge raved about the Salmon en papillote with honey, garlic, soy sauce, carrots and mashed potatoes. Chef Katlego added he would happily serve Holly’s visually striking and delicious dish at his restaurant.
Upon hearing that this masterpiece secured her a spot in the semi-final, Holly, diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 11, became emotional about how much winning with this diabetic-friendly meal would mean to her charity. Holly is representing Sweet Life, an NGO that provides vital education to empower people with the condition to live happy and healthy lives.
SETH SHEZI
In arguably the episode where celebrity competitors wowed the judges the most, Seth excelled alongside actor and bestselling cookbook author Armand Aucamp as well as former Miss South Africa runner-up and Miss Supranational Ayanda G. Thabethe.
In the quick challenge, in which the trio was tasked to impress with fine-dining versions of their go-to indulgences, the stylish video podcaster and jet setter who critiques the world’s best restaurants and was named GQ best-dressed man 2018, clinched the R20 000 for his charity. Seth created an exquisite Chocolate hot pot with strawberry compote, cardamom, sugar and star anise. Zola thought this sweet treat was absolutely divine – from the flavour to the texture.
Seth’s second winning dish, his take on the prescribed elevated pancake, was another taste sensation. He presented Scallion pancakes with salmon, pickled radishes, miso, and a ginger sauce. Justine was most impressed by Seth’s ingenuity in “taking a pancake to Asia.”
Born in KZN but now working from London or Cape Town, Seth will donate the R20 000 cash prize to Ladles of Love. This organisation provides nutritious meals to thousands of vulnerable children and people in impoverished communities.
MZUKISI MBANE
Self-taught fashion designer Mzukisi Mbane, who graduated as an accountant, showed in the third Celebrity MasterChef South Africa showdown that his cooking style is just as enigmatic and eye-catching as his Afro-futuristic garments.
Even though Mzu did not win the R20 000 up for grabs in the show’s all-male third episode cook-off, also featuring actor Bohang Moeko and television presenter Graeme Richards, the judges commended the stylistic presentation of the self-proclaimed sweet tooth’s high-end comfort food. Unfortunately, the ratio of surprising elements in Mzu’s cinnamon ginger bake with vanilla custard pudding and berry compote was not stitched together adequately.
A mystery box challenge featuring nine ingredients, of which at least three needed to be used in a dish, rolled out the red carpet for Mzu to the semi-final. His Roasted duck breast with salad, honey, and baby carrots looked like a piece of art. Mzu also cracked the MasterChef code in terms of taste. Zola called the dish “a colourful and visual delight” and raved about his technical skills.
If Mzu’s creativity earns him the Celebrity MasterChef South Africa title, half of the prize money will go to the so-called Minister of Menstruation and her NGO, Qrate. This charity provides sanitary pads and sexual health education to girls across the country.
DINEO RANAKA
Like Holly, Dineo redeemed herself in Celebrity MasteChef’s South Africa’s fourth episode when she took on pharmacist-turned-internet-sensation and cookbook author Sifo Sinoyolo as well as rock band Spoegwolf’s Danie du Toit.
Dineo’s mistake in the quick challenge was biting off more than she could chew. The radio and television personality experienced several trying moments in the race against the clock. Then, her nerves got the better of her, and she failed to plate all the elements of the required canapés.
But, as Dineo confessed to the judges, she has a “teachable spirit”, prompting her to put her act together for the following complex challenge – creating three elevated pizzas. Dineo’s Pistachio and truffle pizza became Justine’s “new favourite” takeaway treat. Meanwhile, Zola, who was worried about Dineo even kicking off her shoes during the frantic sprint to put all the elements on her plate this time, loved the airy and light dough. Chef Katlego agreed that the pizza bases’ bounce and fluffiness were exceptional.
Now, Dineo hopes to match this success story to benefit a charity close to her heart, People Opposing Women Abuse.
Celebrity MasterChef South Africa is produced by Homebrew Films for Primedia Studios.