South African celebrity chef and veteran presenter, Justin Bonello, together with a team of impressive culinary personalities and local chefs put 35 short-listed Kwa-Zulu Natal teams through their paces at the “Ultimate Braai Master” reality TV competition’s second regional audition event, held at Wild Coast Sun Resort and Casino on Saturday, 26 May.
Sponsored by Pick n Pay, and set to launch on SABC 3 on 13 September 2012, the Competition opened to the public in April inviting aspirant braai masters from around the country to enter online. From a total of 6400 entrants, Justin and his production team at Cooked in Africa Films short-listed 300 teams (of two contestants each) from around the country to take part in three regional auditions in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg during May and the first weekend of June.
Cape Town’s first regional cook-off took place at Grand West Casino & Entertainment World on Saturday, 19 May, where 15 out of the Western Cape’s 79 short-listed competing braai teams were selected as regional finalists.
The second audition in Kwa-Zulu Natal saw only 58 out of 100 short-listed teams take up the invitation to compete at the Wild Coast Sun Resort and Casino on Saturday in their quest to earn a spot in Justin’s 52 day culinary reality TV adventure Series and stand a chance at winning the prize of R500 000 cash, a new Renault Koleos 4×4 valued at R325 000, a Cadac BraaiMaxx valued at R15 000, and the title of South Africa’s “Ultimate Braai Master” in December.
With a poor turn out, only 35 teams arrived on the day to put their tongs to the test. Justin, together with 21 local chefs and celebrity judges, including The Cabanas Hotel Sous Chef, Fanie Sebapo; Executive Chef of Wild Coast Sun, Gary Hastings; lead singer of Just Jinger, Ard Matthews; Executive Chef of The Oyster Box Hotel, Kevin Joseph; Executive Chef of Shaka Marine World; and local award winning Chef, Wynand Schoeman judged competing teams on a variety of criteria including ‘gees’, presentation, taste, texture and originality.
Says the veteran TV presenter Justin Bonello,”While we were disappointed with the turn out today, the judges and I have been impressed with the standard of cooking talent and creativity from our KZN teams! Its definitely been a case of ‘less is more’, and we’ve seen some of the most adventurous and original meals coming out of the region, which include some truly inspiring and touching stories like the PE team, the “Backyard Hillbilly Braaiers” who hitch-hiked all the way from home to get to the KZN auditions. Although KZN’s numbers were less than half of Cape Town’s competing semi-finalists, we had a tough time selecting our top 13 from the collective pool of local braai talent.”
After a high spirited tasting session that lasted from 12pm to 2pm, Justin, together with Metrofm DJ, Tbo Touch, announced the 13 short-listed teams to make it through to a second day of competitive pressure cooking and secret judging from which the final competing teams from around the country will be selected and announced on 14 June.
The Kwa-Zulu Natal finalists include:
- Team Bull Sharks: Gavin Nesbit and his Braai Buddy, Mervyn Bremner – friends from Pietermaritzburg
- Team Tshisa Nyama: Patrick Kvalsvig and his Braai Buddy daughter, Chantelle – from East London
- Team Rough Diamonds: Rodger Bruce Thornton Smith and his Braai Buddy, Derek Clark – from Kareedouw in the Eastern Cape
- Team The Grid Iron Bush Pigs: Joubert Lotz and his Braai Buddy, Jakes Broodryk – friends from East London
- Team Urban Hunter Gatherers: Charles Standing and his Braai Buddy, Dave Roberts – friends from Cape Town
- Team Die Meneera: Peter Nyman and his Braai Buddy, Remmington Nyman – brothers from Durban
- Team The Boerewors Brothers: Sheldon Kramer and his Braai Buddy, Dion Botha – friends from Durban
- Team The Black Ones: Shadrack Kubyane and his Braai Buddy, Dickson Willy – friends from Durban
- Team Beach & Bush: Jona Venter and Braai Buddy, Larry Smit – friends from Durban
- Team Fat Cow: Warwick Thomas and his Braai Buddy, Dayle Bohne – friends from Durban
- Team The Chi Town Braaister: Frank Dunn and his Braai Buddy, Claire Walker – dating from Durban
- Team Popeye & Olive: Roxanne van Breda and her Braai Buddy father, Barry Davis – from Port Elizabeth
- Team Frohbie: Matthew Frohbus and his Braai Buddy sister, Candice Frohbus – from Durban
Attending KZN teams donated their uneaten Ultimate Braai Master meals and left over food to local Early Childhood development Non-Profit Organisation, Right Future. Based near Port Edward, and headed up by Project Manager, Priscilla Nyembezi, the centre is responsible for 150 local orphaned and vulnerable children.
“I’m overwhelmed by the generosity of the many teams that donated their food today,” commented Priscilla. “As an organisation we’re committed to putting the needs of our children first, which includes providing them with adequate nutrition and regular meals. The teams’ kind donation is gratefully received, not only because it delivers a valued resource to our centre but also because it demonstrates a level of care and support for our community’s most vulnerable. Thank you.”
Ultimate Braai Master regional auditions in Gauteng take place at Sun City this Saturday, 2 June.
The final 15 Teams to take part in the “Ultimate Braai Master” reality TV competition will be announced on 21 June. Filming will start in July with the winning team announced in the final episode of “Ultimate Braai Master”, which will be screened on SABC 3 on 6 December 2012.
Competition Bbq Secrets.
A Barbecue Instruction Manual For The Serious Competitor And The Back Yard Barbeque Cook. Learn How Slow Smoke Ribs, Chicken, Butts, Brisket, And Turkey Too!
Competition Bbq Secrets.
