Isaiah Jaganathan.
Image: Supplied
A JOHANNESBURG teenager is hoping to scoop the top spot with his culinary talent after he was selected to participate in season two of The Taste Master Junior.
Isaiah Jaganathan, 16, of Midrand, was chosen among 12 of the country’s most passionate young foodies, to show off their skills under the guidance of celebrity chef Zola Nene and master baker Fritz Schoon.
He said he was shocked after being informed he had been selected.
“I first entered season one of the competition last year, but was not chosen. I decided to try again in June as we had just started the school holidays, and I was looking for ways to keep busy.
“However, after the auditions, I forgot about the competition and started doing other activities. Out of the blue, my older brother, Daleth, called me and said I was chosen. At first I thought he was joking, until I called my mom and she confirmed it. I was shocked, but excited,” he said.
The Grade 11 pupil at Curro New Road High School said his passion for cooking was inspired by his now late grandmother, Terri Naidoo.
“My grandmother was definitely the best cook and baker in our family. I spent hours in the kitchen watching her prepare all these delicious meals, and in large quantities as we are a big family. I remember around Diwali, even though we are Christian, she made sweetmeats just because we liked it. I helped her with the preparation.
“However, I started cooking by myself from the time I was 10 years old. I remember I started off by frying an egg and then continued to experiment with other dishes. My signature dish is a blintz, which is a traditional Jewish dessert. It is a crepe that is filled with a compote of some sort and cream cheese or ricotta,” he said.
Isaiah, who is formerly from Durban, said he was inspired by South African celebrity chef and restaurateur, Siba Mtongana.
“She is definitely my favourite. While growing up I watched her show, Cooking with Siba, on television and thought she made cooking look so fun.”
Isaiah said while he was passionate about cooking, his dream was to help others in the future by pursuing a career in nursing.
“I would love to work as a nurse aboard a ship. However, I hope to also own a chain or restaurants.”
Isaiah said among his other interests was designing and making his own clothes.
“I love fashion. In my free time, I like to sketch out clothes and sometimes, I will sew myself a pants or shirt by hand. I also enjoy volunteering at the homes for the elderly.”
Isaiah said he intended on entering more cooking competitions in future.
Rebecca Jaganathan, his mother, said: “We were so excited and emotional at the same time. It is an opportunity of a lifetime for Isaiah. However, his grandmother, who always motivated him, was not around to cheer for him when he found out that he had been chosen, as she passed away in August last year. But we are proud of him, and have faith that he will win the competition.”
The Taste Master Junior is currently being aired on SABC2, every Tuesday at 7.30pm, with repeats every Wednesday at 1pm and Sunday at 4pm.
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