Teams for Season 3 of The Ultimate Braaimaster announced

After a busy month hosting four regional auditions across the country, presenter Justin Bonello is proud to announce the top 15 teams selected to compete in this year’s toughest outdoor kitchen competition, Season 3 of Ultimate Braai Master, sponsored by Pick n Pay.

Justin Bonello and the Renault Duster
Justin Bonello and the Renault Duster

Selected from a national pool of 50 finalists, the 14 teams and one Wild Card team to make it into this year’s competition include:

  1. Team Santa Anna’s: friends from Stellenbosch, Western Cape, Braai Master Piet Marais and Braai Buddy Frik Oosthuizen.
  2. Team Braai Dukes: cousins from Durban, KwaZulu Natal, Braai Master Milani Motlohi and Braai Buddy Kevin Jonas.
  3. Team Bushies Gone Wild: friends from Durban, KwaZulu Natal, Braai Master Sherwyn Weaich and Braai Buddy Zane Jacobs.
  4. Team Ala Mofepe: colleagues from Pretoria, Gauteng, Braai Master Freddy Buyane and Braai Buddy Jabu Mahlangu.
  5. Team Simply Sisters: friends from Pretoria, Gauteng, Braai Master Busisiwe Dhladhla and Braai Buddy Thembeka Ngcobo.
  6. Team Kaiings and Afval: a couple from Johannesburg, Gauteng, Braai Master Tippie Enslin and Braai Buddy Santie Mostert.
  7. Team Smokey and The Bandit: a brother and sister duo from Queensborough, KwaZulu Natal, Braai Master Barend Deminey and Braai Buddy Lente Deminey.
  8. Team Tenacity:  a couple from Cape Town, Western Cape, Braai Master Rod Hemphill and Braai Buddy Lesley Verhoef.
  9. Team Sugar and Spice: friends from Johannesburg, Gauteng, Braai Master Celeste Raynard and Braai Buddy Chantel Geerdes.
  10. Team Tong in Cheek: friends from Johannesburg, Gauteng, Braai Master Penny Rider and Braai Buddy Dee McCool.
  11. Team The Fire Feeders: friends from Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, Braai Master Stuart Smith and Braai Buddy Bretton-Anne Moolman.
  12. Team Weskus Braaiers: best friends for life from Langebaan, the West Coast of South Africa, Braai Master John Grundlingh and Braai Buddy Julian Mori.
  13. Team Mix Masala: friends from Stanger (KwaDukuza), KwaZulu Natal, Braai Master Sujith Singh and Braai Buddy Prishen Maharaj.
  14. Team Delicious Foodies: a mother-and-daughter-duo from Gordon’s Bay, Western Cape, Braai Master Brigitte Leclercq and Braai Buddy Lynn Leclercq.  

Joining the 14 teams is Pick n Pay’s Wild Card team, Tikka Boys, represented by Braai Master, Mohamed Yusuf Sujee from Ottery, Cape Town and his friend and Braai Buddy, Stephen Nandes, from Parow, Cape Town. Both work as Junior Sous Chefs at a local restaurant in Plattekloof, Cape Town.

Says General Manager of Marketing at Pick n Pay, Malcolm Mycroft: “As a family brand with a proud history of supporting  all things local, Pick n Pay is especially thrilled to have been a part of the this Season’s auditions where over 329 teams were shortlisted, proving yet again that South Africa is a passionate braaing nation. We were also pleased to see a 50% increase in this year’s all-women braai teams competing in Season three, which should increase the stakes and could change the outcome of this year’s competition. Pick n Pay has elected to play its Wild Card by selecting two best friends who share a vocation and a passion for food. Braai Master, Yusuf also has an ambitious dream of one day opening his own restaurant, and if their team mantra “Never Say Burn” is anything to go by, we look forward to seeing them produce some memorable and original braai fare over the course of the competition!”

With a much better representation from KwaZulu Natal and the Eastern Cape this year, veteran presenter and Ultimate Braai Master’s host, Justin, is excited to see a more diverse spread of talent from around the country being represented in this year’s competition. “Last year 60% of our participating teams came from the Western Cape, with the remainder representing the Gauteng Province. This year we have a strong talent pool with 27% of teams hailing from KwaZulu Natal, 33% from Gauteng and the Western Cape respectively and one team flying the flag for the Eastern Cape! Similarly, while there were only two all-girl teams up against seven all-guy teams last year, this year we’re fortunate to have four strong all-women teams, together with four mixed-couple teams chasing the Ultimate Braai Master title and prize pot.”

Supported by Coca-Cola, Renault Duster, Robertsons Herbs and Spices and Total, the Third Season of Ultimate Braai Master: Time for Tough premieres on e.tv on Thursday, 11 September 2014, in primetime from 8.30pm to 9.30pm.

Viewers won’t be disappointed as this year promises to deliver another Seasonal showcase of ground -breaking gourmet braai recipes produced against the backdrop of some of the most breath-taking locations. Filming begins in May when Justin, the 30 contestants and Ultimate Braai Master Judges, Bertus Basson (Executive Chef and owner of Overture restaurant in Stellenbosch) and Chef Petrus Madutlela (Chef at The Vine Restaurant in Sevenoaks, Kent) will join Cooked in Africa Films’ 60-strong production crew for the official start of the competition. Contestants will be expected to self-drive over 9000km to 13 secret locations, some situated outside of South Africa, where they will need to compete on the coals while managing tough terrain, extreme temperatures and unforgiving taskmasters if they expect to have a chance at snatching up the title, R500 000.00 in cash, a Renault Duster 4×4 valued at R260 000.00, and two extra-large Big Green Eggs, the ultimate cooking experience, valued at over R30 000.00.  Thanks to Robertsons Herbs and Spices, this year’s winners will also enjoy an unforgettable seven-day guided tour of Kerala in India, one of the world’s leading spice regions, with host Justin Bonello including spending money valued at R100 000.00.

The winning team will be announced in the final episode of Ultimate Braai Master on e.tv on Thursday 4 December. The Season’s most memorable braai-inspired recipes will be packaged into a third commemorative Ultimate Braai Master cookbook, available at Pick n Pay, celebrating all things braai and just in time for Christmas!

For more please visit www.ultimatebraaimaster.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ultimatebraaimaster

Twitter: @ultimatebraai

#UltimateBraaiMaster

 Distributed on behalf of Cooked in Africa Films by:

Georgie Caldow

Cooked in Africa

PR Manager

C +27 71 482 1279

georgie@cookedinafrica.co.za

For Marketing and Sponsor-related enquiries contact:

Lara Black

Cooked in Africa

Sponsorship & Marketing Director

C +27 83 3261168

lara@cookedinafrica.co.za

Skype: larablackza 

TEAM BIO’S: 

  1. 1.       SANTA ANNA’S

Business partners Piet Marais (29) and Frik Oosthuizen (24) entered Ultimate Braai Master for an opportunity to go on the road trip of a lifetime and to get away from the grind of city life for a while. While Braai Master Piet is admittedly devastated to be missing the Western Cape wild mushroom season and Braai Buddy Frik is really going to miss his girlfriend and his dog, they have big dreams if they win, including financing their business and donating money to the Rhino Fund. They think elimination rounds will be the toughest challenge to tackle. Their team mantra? “After a good braai, one can forgive anyone. Even one’s own relatives.” 

  1. 2.       BRAAI DUKES

Cousins Milani Motlohi (21) and Kevin Jonas (21) are two very motivated students from Durban who want to open their own restaurant if they win. Their team mantra is “Something worth doing is worth doing well” but they do admit that they think braaiing in remote places and in difficult conditions will be the biggest challenge to face. This dynamic duo believes they will miss spending time with their friends and family, but the Braai Dukes are amped and ready for an adventure! 

  1. 3.       BUSHIES GONE WILD

Durban friends Sherwyn Weaich (24) and Zane Jacobs (36) entered the Third Season of Ultimate Braai Master for their love of food, good company and of course, to try and get their braai-singed-fingers on the cash! If they win, Sherwyn wants to take his family on a long holiday and Zane will use some of his share to fund their charity “Full Tummies, Happy Smiles.” Sherwyn says nothing about the competition scares him, but Zane admits that the sense of the unknown will be a little nerve-wracking. Their team mantra is “Bushies, how’s our combination?” and they’re looking forward to going on what they call the food journey of a lifetime! 

  1. 4.       ALA MOFEPE

Pretoria chefs Freddy Buyane (43) and Jabu Mahlangu (33) are both huge Jamie Oliver fans, and they believe that competing on Ultimate Braai Master will help them improve their skills and help them become as successful as their icon. With this motivation to drive them through the competition, it makes sense that their team mantra is “Skill, taste and character.” They differ on what they think the most challenging part of the competition will be; hopeful Braai Master Freddy thinks the final round will be the toughest and his colleague and Braai Buddy Jabu is dreading preparing desserts and puddings on an open flame.

  1. 5.       SIMPLY SISTERS

Don’t let the fact that these are two women competing in a braai show fool you, because Busisiwe Dhladhla(32) and Thembeka Ngcobo (31) entered Ultimate Braai Master to take the title, so no wonder their team mantra is “We shall overcome!” And if they do that, Busisiwe wants to open a Shisa Nyama and Thembeka wants to open a small coffee shop. Their icons in life are two very strong women, Oprah and Princess Diana, so this team is definitely one to take seriously, although Braai Master Busisiwe says she’s not looking forward to going fishing! 

  1. 6.       KAIINGS AND AFVAL

Jozi based couple Tippie Enslin (43) and Santie Mostert (43) are both passionate about nature and food, which is why they decided to enter Season 3 of Ultimate Braai Master. Their team motto “Take it one day at a time and enjoy the ride!” is exactly the kind of attitude you need to make it through to the finals. If they win, all they want to do is travel and eat great food but first they have to survive each other, the cold and the road for two months! Braai Buddy Santie says she’ll miss her bed and under floor heating the most while Tippie says he’ll miss the company of his two dogs. 

  1. 7.       SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT

Durban siblings Barend Deminey (31) and Lente Deminey’ss(26) team mantra is “You’ll never know unless you try” and that’s exactly what they did! They entered to see what they’re capable of, to pursue new challenges and to explore the unfamiliar and that’s exactly what they can expect in this season of the Ultimate Braai Master. They hope to improve and develop after each challenge and if they win, Braai Master Barend wants to use the money towards his kids’ future education and his sister and Braai Buddy Lente wants to go on a trip to Antarctica.  

  1. 8.       TEAM TENACITY

Cape Town based life partners Rod Hemphill (60) and Lesley Verhoef (59) entered Ultimate Braai Master for their love of adventure. While they think the most challenging part of the competition will be to keep calm while everyone else is losing their cool, Braai Buddy Lesley admits that waiting for the Judges to make a decision might be even tougher. If they win, the money will go into their bucket-list fund, and with a team motto that goes “Yes we can!” they might just have what it takes! 

  1. 9.       SUGAR AND SPICE

Best friends Celeste Raynard (47) and Chantal Geerdes (43) don’t only share a passion for food and travelling – they also share a friendship, and now, a team motto: “Through thick and thin, sick and sin.” As first timers to the Ultimate Braai Master, they’re getting ready to be put to the ultimate test – from their cooking skills, fitness levels, intellect, integrity and embracing the unknown. If they win the competition, Braai Master Celeste wants to complete her book and get it published and Braai Buddy Chantal wants to donate some of their winnings to an animal shelter. 

  1. 10.   TONG IN CHEEK

Johannesburg and Cape Town based friends Penny Rider (55) and Dee McCool (55) say they are “In it to win it!”  and if they do, they’ll split the cash. Braai Master Penny wants to get a food truck on the road to sell organic and healthy fast food. They entered Ultimate Braai Master after watching it on TV because they realised they could successfully compete in the show – plus they love a good adventure! They think the most challenging part of the competition will be to deal with the unknown and long hours in the car. 

  1. 11.   THE FIRE FEEDERS

As the first and only Port Elizabeth team to make it into the top 15, friends Stuart Smith (42) and Bretton-Anne Moolman (45) say that Ultimate Braai Master is going to be tough but that they’re up for the challenge. Stuart entered his team for the chance to experience the road trip of a lifetime and Bretton-Anne happily joined him so that she could also share in the amazing experience. If they walk away with the title, the car and the cash, Stuart wants to use his share to set up a travelling food truck and journey across South Africa, while Anne just wants to buy a car. 

  1. 12.   WESKUS BRAAIERS

West Coast based best friends John Stewart Grundlingh (35) and Bruno Julian Mori (34) entered for the love of the braai and in memory of their best friend who sadly passed away a year ago. If they win, John wants to build a house with a massive braai, while Julian is another contestant with the dream of opening a food truck restaurant. Their team mantra is “Never give up and live life to the full” and while on the road for two months, Julian says he’ll miss surfing and fishing the most, while John says he will miss his wife (although he admits that this might be the safest answer!) 

  1. 13.   MIX MASALA

Farm store manager Sujith Singh (40) and wedding planner Prishen Maharaj (31) are both from KwaZulu Natal entered to meet different people and for their love of food experimentation. Sujith is excited to showcase Durban as a foodie capital and if he wins he wants to take his family on holiday, and buy himself some “larni” cooking utensils, while Braai Buddy Prishen wants to take his mom and dad on a well-deserved holiday. Their braai mantra is “To de-stress, start cooking now!” but when the pressure is on, they admit that the combination of any surprises that come their way, and having to use limited ingredients, might be the biggest challenge.

  1. 14.   DELICIOUS FOODIES

As the only mother and daughter team to make it through to the top 15, Braai Master Brigitte Leclercq (24) and Braai Buddy Lynn Leclercq (48) plan to live up to their team motto, “Eat well, laugh often and love much.”  They entered Ultimate Braai Master to challenge themselves and to get away from the fast-paced city lifestyle. If they win, Brigitte wants to build a small river cottage in Bonnievale while her mom would like to invest her share of the money. They think that cooking food they’ve never cooked before on an open flame will be the most challenging part of the show. 

  1. 15.   TIKKA BOYS (PICK N PAY’S WILD CARD)

Cape Town friends Mohamed Yusuf Sujee (26) and Stephen Nandes (26) are both junior sous chefs with big dreams. If they win, Yusuf hopes to open his own restaurant and Stephen wants to travel and spoil his family. Their team mantra is “Never say burn” so let’s hope they live up to their goal! While they hope to gain experience and use the show as an awesome opportunity to showcase their braai skills, they admit that the idea of not knowing what to expect is a little scary. 

ULTIMATE BRAAI MASTER HOST

Justin Bonello

Cook, traveller and lover of life, Justin Bonello has done the very thing we all dream of – taking the things he cares most deeply about and making his world revolve around them.

He’s the guy messing about with the braai, burning the fingers on his one hand with a beer in the other; or in the kitchen fearlessly experimenting with flavours and ingredients, playing with his food. It might not always work, but as Justin says “without exception we all have flops from time to time but like life, food is about trying new things, making new friends and most of all, having fun. It’s all part of the process and when it works the rewards are sweet…or savoury!”

As a veteran presenter and producer, and founder of one of South Africa’s leading film production companies, Cooked in Africa Films, Justin has combined his three favourite things – Southern Africa, food and friends – into his daily work. 

ULTIMATE BRAAI MASTER JUDGES

Bertus Basson

Bertus Basson started cooking at the age of 17 and by age 19 he spent three years in the big smoke of London, where he spent most of his time at the One start Michelin restaurant, Chez Bruce, in Wandsworth. He describes his work at this restaurant as the moment that changed his life because this is where he honed in on his culinary skills.  Bertus attributed his love for fresh ingredients to working with Bruce Poole. “I learnt how to cook here,” says Bertus, who believes the experience provided him with real-life training that couldn’t be learned in a college. “I learnt how to take a proper bollocking and how to respect ingredients.”

As it happens, his visa eventually ran out and on his return to South Africa he opened the Arabella Hermanus as one of the Sous Chefs. During this time here he excelled in cooking competitions, and has represented South Africa in some of the world’s best cooking challenges, including Bocuse d’Or, Culinary Olympics and the Global Chefs Challenge.

At age 25 Bertus opened the doors of All Things Culinary with fellow chef and business partner Craig Cormack. This quickly became a very successful catering operation. The next project, Overture Restaurant, opened its doors in 2007 under the partnership of Bertus and Craig in the picturesque Hidden Valley in Stellenbosch. Since opening, Overture has accumulated several awards and has been included in the TOP 10 of the DSTV and FOOD NETWORK EAT OUT AWARDS for six years running and has also been awarded 3 stars in the Rossouw’s Restaurant Guide for two consecutive years. Bertus also runs a very successful hot dog vending business, called Die Wors Rol, makes wine and is involved with several good causes in the Stellenbosch area.

Bertus proudly cooks Modern South African cuisine and has creatively incorporated the Braai in many of his recent creations.   Through his unyielding passion for all things culinary, Bertus has recently been named, by Men’s Health magazine February 2014, as a Game Changer: one of South Africa’s top 20 most inspirational (young!) men.

In 2012 Bertus came on board as a judge for the Ultimate Braai Master, he completed the second season in 2013, and is looking forward to joining The Cooked In Africa team in 2014 for the third season. 

Petrus Madutlela

Petrus Madutlela’s (31) career is a whirlwind culinary-story and he’s fast becoming a name the world needs to watch out for! He was born in Mothotlung just outside Brits, North West Province, where he had dreams of becoming a doctor.  Whilst working as a cleaner at the Pecanwood Country Club close to his home on the Hartbeespoort Dam, his fate took a turn for the best.

The Head Chef noticed his enthusiastic personality and gave him an opportunity that would soon shape the hands that were once headed for surgery, and mould them into working on creating top-class food across the world.

His hard work in the kitchen, and his continuous researching outside the kitchen – reading recipe books and entering competitions – earned him the attention he needed to start his career.

Since then, Petrus has been striving to get to the top. He is no stranger to competitions and has represented South Africa on many occasions. With varied establishments such as Le Quartier Francais, Avianto, Sun International and The Aqua Restaurant at the Sibaya Casino on his CV, Petrus has clearly put a lot of effort into learning as much as he can about the chefing trade.

Founder and Principal of the Stellenbosch Institute of Culinary Arts, Letitia Prinsloo, gave Petrus a well-deserved scholarship to develop his fast-growing passion. He moved to the UK with his British wife Shirley, who he met and studied with at Stellenbosch. Since then he’s worked in many restaurants alongside top Chefs, such as the Savoy in London, the Michelin Star Restaurant Chapter One in Kent, and as Head Chef of The Hengist, a two rosette restaurant near Aylesford. He is now working at The Vine Restaurant in Sevenoaks.

In 2011 Petrus briefly returned to South Africa after his creativity in the kitchen earned him the opportunity to take part in “Unilever Food Solutions By Invitation Only” chef competition. He walked away with the top prize of R40, 000.00 and the title Chef of the Year. Towards the end of last year he also made it into the quarter final of BBC TV series Masterchef: The Professionals. Michel Roux Jnr described Petrus as having a superb palate and the “ability to light up an entire room on entry”. Recently he represented the World Association of Chefs Societies as a member of the international chef “Dream Team”, a group of 8 Michelin Star chefs. They demonstrated state of the art recipes at the World Hospitality Competition in Dubai.

Petrus has enjoyed a thriving career as a chef in London, where he’s been living with his wife and young son since 2010. He will be returning to South Africa in May 2014 to start up chapter two of his life and join Executive Chef of Overture Restaurant, Bertus Basson in the third Season of Ultimate Braai Master as one of the competition’s two permanent judges.

Petrus dreams that one day he’ll open his own restaurant in South Africa, featuring food that’s simple, seasonal & authentic. He’s proud to be a South African.

Visit: www.ultimatebraaimaster.com for more

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