Food blogger wins Masterchef

(From left) Masterchef contestants Leandri van der Wat, Ozzy Osman, Kamini Pather and and Seline van der Wat. Pather won the competition.

(From left) Masterchef contestants Leandri van der Wat, Ozzy Osman, Kamini Pather and and Seline van der Wat. Pather won the competition.

Published Sep 12, 2013

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Johannesburg - After a truly nail-biting finale, Kamini Pather was announced the winner of season two of MasterChef SA last night.

The celebrations were held at the Tsogo Sun Hyde Park, where last year’s winner, Deena Naidoo, jumped up on stage to compliment Pather, a 29-year-old food blogger from Cape Town, and the runner-up Leandri van der Wat, a 23-year-old science student from Mahikeng.

Dressed in a sexy black satin dress, Pather earned her title after emerging victorious in the three rounds with a mystery box test, with chef Pete Goofe-Wood’s favourite 11 ingredients, followed by an invention challenge with chicken being the hero of the dish and, lastly, the two went head to head, mirroring a pomegranate eclair made by chef Andrew Atkinson.

While Pather went very safe and simple with her approach, Van der Wat’s daring approach let her down.

Pather said: “This moment right now is surreal. It is everything I have been dreaming about. I want to inspire South Africans to cook seasonally. I don’t think I will do a restaurant or a book.”

Pather’s grand prize included R400 000 in cash, a VW Golf 7, a five-night luxurious Maia Luxury Resort & Spa holiday in the Seychelles, a year’s free shopping at Woolworths valued at R100 000 as well as a year’s supply of wine and a full sommelier course from Nederburg.

Anne Davis, head of Original Productions, said that the prize this year is flexible, so the winner could do what they would like to do. Hence Pather didn't get a restaurant.

A sweet-natured Van der Wat took her loss in her stride – she lost by 6 points to Pather, who won with a score of 89.

She said: “I haven't been exposed to fine dining. Being on the show opened up my mind to trying new things and learning to lose. And it was a lesson of humility. You can't fake this sort of growth. Sitting as the runner-up at a press conference is not pleasant.”

Although Van der Wat didn't win, she did leave with R100 000. She is giving her money to charity. - The Star

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