Meet some of the passionate MasterChef SA contestants vying for the R1 million prize
THE new local season of the world's best cooking show, MasterChef South Africa, premiered on SABC 3 (S3) today.
This season, 20 passionate home cooks will bring their best - from baking to basting and everything in between - right into the MasterChef kitchen.
They will face tough challenges to impress three discerning judges - Justine Drake, Zola Nene and Katlego Mlambo - to avoid elimination. Who will win the R1 million prize and earn the title of South Africa’s MasterChef?
The contestants include:
– Chanel Brink — Cooking enthusiast: She speaks the language of love through her cooking. Whether she’s surprising her colleagues with tasty treats, preparing comforting meals for her family, or sharing her unique South African recipes on Instagram, Chanel’s heart is in every dish.
During lockdown, Durban-born Chanel turned her kitchen creativity into online content. Her simple, comforting recipes resonated with many, and her Instagram account, cookingwithchanel_sa, now has over 180 000 followers.
Cooking runs deep in Chanel’s family. Her dad is a chef, and her mom worked at a deli. As a little girl, Chanel loved helping her mom bake, finding more joy in the kitchen than in cartoons.
“Even just adding in the sugar gave me such joy,” she recalls.
She was thrilled to see her first bran muffins come out of the oven at age nine.
Chanel’s ability to stay calm and multi-task, honed in her job as an internal sales consultant at a construction company, will serve her well in the MasterChef South Africa Season 5. Her journey is driven by love and determination, and she’s ready to make her mark.
– Zakariyya “Zak” Ebrahim: Home cook and small business owner: Durban-born Zakariyya Ebrahim, or Zak as everyone calls him, worked in retail before starting his small business – a venture built on his passion for food.
“The Virgin Cook by Zak”, established in April, is a catering company that conjures up menus rooted in rustic flavours for any occasion.
“Since I’m not a professional chef, self-employment in the food industry was a big risk,” the 46-year-old resident of Northriding, Johannesburg, says.
“But I believe the discipline and drive to succeed required to run a business will give me the edge in the pressure-cooker MasterChef environment.”
While Zak’s signature dish is salmon and Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes are part of his repertoire, he particularly enjoys the theatrical and entertaining nature of over-the-fire cooking.
At the same time, Zak can’t stand a messy cooking environment. If tools and utensils are not in the right place or ingredients are not lined up properly, his OCD kicks in.
Zak describes this as his “weakness in the kitchen.”
Perhaps he is wrong. When the clock ticks at MasterChef challenges, being organised might count in your favour and impress the highly critical judges.
– Shreya Beekum: Quirky cook and recent graduate: At 22, Shreya from Ballito is ready to sprinkle her sweet and quirky charm on MasterChef South Africa. As a recent graduate, she dreams of becoming a chef, opening her own restaurant, and tackling food safety, insecurity, and hunger in the country.
Shreya’s food journey began at age 10, baking cakes, rolling rotis, and folding samoosas with her grandmother. Watching simple ingredients transform into delicious dishes sparked her love for cooking. She explores a range of cooking styles, from Italian to Indian and Asian, always adding her personal touch.
Living with ADHD and anxiety, Shreya has learned to channel her energy into her culinary creations, which she believes will help her thrive in the competition. Her passion for baking and making desserts shines through in every dish she makes, bringing joy to those who taste her food.
Shreya’s playful and genuine love for food is sure to make her a memorable contestant on MasterChef SA.
– Nabila Beulah Shamshum: Fusion foodie and educator: At 23, Nabila from Johannesburg, is ready to share her love for fusion cooking. As a school secretary and part-time educator, she dreams of owning a cosy bistro where she can serve fusion dishes and host art workshops, complete with a weekly rotation of freshly baked goods.
Growing up in a mixed Afrikaans and Arabic household, Nabila learned early on that food is a powerful way to show love. Her mother, her greatest influence, would take her to spice shops, Asian markets, and Middle Eastern stores, teaching her to blend diverse ingredients into delicious meals. Her father’s Arabic heritage also shaped her, as food is a central part of Middle Eastern culture.
Nabila’s cooking style is a delightful mix of Mediterranean and Asian flavours. She has been cooking for about 10 years and loves creating dishes that reflect her rich cultural background. Inspired by chef Teddy Zaki, she proudly owns a signed copy of his cookbook.
* The series is broadcast on S3 (formerly SABC3) on Saturdays at 7.30pm with repeat broadcasts on SABC2 on Sundays at 6.30pm and S3 on Wednesdays at 6pm.