CHEF Reuben Riffel is a household name in South Africa. Aside from those Robertsons TV ads spicing up his appeal, he was a hit on the third season of MasterChef SA and the Celebrity edition, too.
Exuding a professionalism and great sense of humour, he added a vibrant dimension to his delightful counterparts, Pete Goffe-Wood and Benny Masekwameng. And he proved to be a great sport during his initiation as the new judge.
And Riffel’s footprints remain in the TV realm – he is on The Home Channel for a second season of Signature Living with Reuben.
Shedding light on the birth of the series, he notes: “I met Ben Badenhorst, the producer of the show, almost four years ago. He was talking about us doing something at that stage and he had an appetite to do a show around cooking. Then, about two years ago, I got involved with Samsung as a brand ambassador.”
Unbeknown to Riffel, Badenhorst also knew someone at Samsung and, long story short, that is how this series came about. However, it initially aired on kykNET as 5 Stere Met Reuben before differences led to it finding its current home.
Naturally, the switch of channels merited a few changes. The chef notes: “Well, we didn’t want to change it too much. I wanted to do food that wasn’t too complicated but still show something new. We spoke about kitchen designs with guests, various gadgets you could use.”
What’s interesting this season is the food pairing.
He shares: “We decided to have a bigger wine element, but also include beer and brandy. We wanted to meet the wine and beer makers, showcase their farms and products as well. They didn’t taste the food prior to the show. But, by explaining what the dish was about, they had to pair the wine with the food.”
The show’s tone is casual as Riffel knows most of the guests anyway. And he confirmed that a third season is in the offing. However, it isn’t just restricted to the kitchen; it features useful tips on the entire house. But Riffel has no designs on being a DIY guy.
He laughs: “Listen, I have to stick to what I know. I like beautiful things and can admire what people do. I love kitchens, gadgets and striking designs.”
Revisiting his MasterChef outing, he admits: “We shot the Celebrity edition before the third season. I was nervous the first time around. There is no list of the do’s and don’ts. You just have to go with it. All these contestants knew I was a ‘rookie’ – they were well versed in front of the camera. But I didn’t have to worry about anything. These guys were super nervous about cooking on camera. Overall, it was an amazing experience and a lot of fun.
What’s next for Riffel?
“I want to do a show where I’m not just cooking. I want to get out and meet people in their own environment – do an off-the-beaten-track kind of show.”
Of course, he is also kept busy with his restaurant and is working on a partnership to introduce a new beer to the market and combine it with an interesting open fire food concept.
Whether on or off screen, Riffel is putting his signature on things. Hats off to him!
l Signature Living with Reuben, The Home Channel (DStv channel 176), Wednesdays, 6pm.