THE TASTE MASTER JUNIOR SEASON 1
The Taste Master Junior launches its debut season, showcasing the best young bakers from across South Africa. Based on the original award-winning baking competition reality show, the junior edition sees 12 exciting talents between the ages of 13 and 17 years old compete for a grand prize worth more than R200 000.
Produced in partnership with Clover South Africa, the 13 part reality show puts the young bakers to the test in weekly challenges, pushing their cooking abilities and creativity to the limit. One will be crowned the first-ever Junior Taste Master.
“We are thrilled to see young talent in South Africa in the kitchen, baking and cooking creations made with love by Clover. The show will not only highlight the youth’s potential but also inspire viewers with the junior’s creations to bake their own for a chance to win weekly prizes of a Kitchen Aid Classic Mixer and delicious Clover products”– Danette van Niekerk, Clover Senior Brand Manager.
Familiar judges Zola Nene and Fritz Schoon return to our screens providing mentorship, critique and encouragement along the way. The show also features appearances from youth-focused guest judges who bring their own expertise to the Taste Master kitchen.
“I love that we’re doing a Junior version of The Taste Master, it’s a chance to discover the untapped talent of our future baking stars! There are so many talented young bakers in SA so I can’t wait for them to show us their skills”– Zola Nene, The Taste Master SA Junior Judge.
“I am very excited with a sense of scepticism. How good can these kids really be? I suppose with the free access to world class baking and cooking they should be well informed and exposed. In my heart, I truly believe this is going to be a very pleasant surprise and heaps of fun”– Fritz Schoon, The Taste Master SA Junior Judge.
The Taste Master Junior is scheduled to premiere on Tuesday, 30 July 2024, at 7pm on SABC 2.
Repeats will air at 1pm every Wed and 4pm every Sunday.
MEET THE CONTESTANTS
Afton Mathys
Afton Mathys, a 17-year-old grade 11 student from Cape Town, is a vibrant and talented individual who believes she would be a perfect fit for The Taste Master Junior competition. With a positive attitude, competitive spirit, culinary skills, and a sprinkle of humour as her secret ingredient, Afton is ready to showcase her talents on the show. When she’s not on TikTok, she can be found in the kitchen whipping up a sweet treat! In June of 2023, Afton decided to turn her passion into a business venture – say hello to Afton Bakes! Her home bakery business offers a variety of delicious baked goods, which she’s hoping to use to win the hearts of the judges.
Gabriella Brits
Gabriella Brits from Mbombela is a 15-year-old The Taste Master SA Junior contestant who is driven by her love for baking and creating meals that are cherished by others. Eager to explore new ingredients and witness the transformation of her creations into beloved dishes, Gabriella is excited about the prospect of travel, television exposure, and a bit of friendly competition. This opportunity represents a significant stepping stone towards her future aspirations. Describing herself as funny, charming, and ambitious, Gabriella is ready to take on new challenges. Her journey with baking began at a young age, where she would concoct imaginative but inedible dessert plates, eventually leading her to discover her passion for baking while preparing a special Mother’s Day treat.
Jahzara Ranjith
Jahzara Ranjith is a 14 years old and resides in the Western Cape. Her passion for baking started at a young age, baking alongside her grandmother. When she isn’t baking, she loves to spend her time with her family, playing board games, and enjoys painting, and riding her bike to unwind. Winning the R150 000 from Capitec would mean that Jahzara would be able to pay for higher education and study medicine. Jahzara sees The Taste Master Junior as a chance to showcase her culinary skills and share her love with baking to the world. She enjoys experimenting with various flavour profiles and desserts.
Lehakwe Mafojane
Meet Lehakwe Mafojane, a driven 16-year-old from the Vaal, with a passion for cooking and a dream of becoming a restaurateur to create job opportunities as a means to address joblessness in South Africa. Her love for cooking and baking has been a constant in her life since a young age, and she finds joy in creating new and unique dishes for her loved ones. Proud to be a young South African chef, Lehakwe honed her skills in cooking classes that taught her the art of baking and cooking. Her favourite treats to bake include chocolate cake, malva pudding, cinnamon rolls, and donuts – sweet treats she’s hoping to impress the judges with on The Taste Master Junior.
Lieschen Basson
Lieschen Basson is a 16-year-old who just can’t get enough of the culinary world! He’s totally smitten with food and loves diving into different cultures and their delicious dishes. His biggest dream? To become a Pastry Chef, and he’s hoping The Taste Master Junior will be the springboard to make this dream a reality. Baking started as a hobby for him, but now it’s a full-blown passion which was born when in 2020 when his dad introduced him to the joys of baking during lockdown. From starting with muffin mixes to whipping up everything from scratch, Lieschen is always ready to explore and experiment in the kitchen.
Lubabalo Plaatjies
Lubabalo Plaatjies is 16-years-old and lives in Cape Town and is a talented cook and baker who runs his own business called Sidney’s Sweets. With a strong desire to be crowned winner of season 1 of The Taste Master Junior, Lubabalo aims to showcase his skills and talents to a wider audience, garnering support for his business. Passionate about inspiring youth to believe in their abilities, he’s a dedicated member of his community, serving as the Junior Councillor of Cape Town through the JCC initiative. A free-spirited individual brimming with joy, Lubabalo thrives on new challenges and experiences, constantly pushing himself to grow and improve – let’s see what this season has in store.
Mabontle Ndobe
Mabontle Ndobe, 17-year-old baking enthusiast all the way from Phalaborwa in Limpopo, is a talented baker with a passion for creating delectable treats. With a strong belief in her baking skills, Mabontle is eager to showcase her impressive culinary talents on the premiere of South Africa’s The Taste Master Junior competition. Her determination to put her skills to the test among fellow baking-enthusiasts reflects her ambition and drive to excel in the world of baking. Watch out, Taste Master, Mabontle is ready to compete for the coveted title!
Markus De Klerk
Markus De Klerk is a 14-year-old from Middelburg who has a deep passion for cooking and baking. He thrives on a bit of healthy competition and is hoping The Taste Master Junior will help him take him love of the culinary arts to new heights. Alongside my love for creating in the kitchen, Markus loves taking part in sports like swimming, athletics, and hockey. He’s outgoing and finds joy in entertaining those around him and making connections. During lockdown, his fascination with cooking grew as he spent most of his time glued to cooking shows, which sparked a fire in him that led to him entering to be on the first season of the show. Cooking has become not just a hobby, but a way for him to express his creativity and connect with people over a love of food.
Omphile Mohlala
Omphile Mohala, a 14-year-old that hails from Pretoria, has a passion for all things food, baking and confectionery. Known as OJ, Omphile possesses the skills, attitude, and dedication to excel in the culinary world. He believes that participating in season 1 of The Taste Master SA Junior would not only boost his confidence but also signify a significant achievement in his journey. OJ is described as a bubbly, respectful, and fun-loving individual who enjoys cooking, baking, reading, and playing golf in his free time. With a love for laughter and smiles, OJ discovered his passion for baking in 2019 when he decided to bake his own birthday cake. As they say, the rest is history!
Quinley Wild
Meet aspiring chef, Quinley Wild, whose passion for food was ignited by his talented grandmother. While he may not yet be old enough for chef’s school, Quinley has been honing his skills by cooking for his family and attending courses at Stir Crazy Cooking School. His ultimate goal is to work as a chef on yachts and perhaps one day open his own restaurant or enter the visual/social media food space. Understanding the financial challenges of chef school, Quinley sees The Taste Master Junior opportunity as a way to help his mom with the fees and pursue his dreams. Joining this competition would not only fulfil his dreams but also make his beloved grandmother incredibly proud.
Suzanne Roux
Suzanne Roux, a 13-year-old culinary enthusiast, found her passion for baking and cooking during the lockdown period, where she dedicated her time to experimenting in the kitchen and exploring dishes from various cultures around the world. With a genuine love for food evident in her creations, Suzanne believes she would be an excellent candidate for The Taste Master Junior. Her enthusiasm for learning and exploring the diverse world of cuisine sets her apart, making her a promising contender for the competition. Suzanne’s culinary journey is a testament to her dedication and passion for the art of cooking.
Tineke Louw
Tineke Louw, a 16-year-old from Paarl in the Western Cape, aspires to become the Taste Master SA Junior champion. With a passion for cooking and baking, Tineke is determined to prove to herself and inspire others that she can achieve anything she sets her mind to. Winning the competition would be a dream come true for her, and the R150 000 prize from Capitec would greatly support her tertiary studies. When not in the kitchen, Tineke enjoys playing tennis and crocheting. Starting with mug cakes and microwave meals, Tineke’s culinary journey evolved as she experimented with new recipes and techniques. From making sourdough bread from scratch with her own starter, Tineke’s dedication to cooking and baking shines through in her creations.
MEET THE JUDGES
About Zola Nene
Zola Nene, a renowned celebrity chef and author, has left an indelible mark on the world of television. Best known as the resident chef on SABC 3’s Expresso, Zola’s culinary journey began in England, working in a professional kitchen. Her expertise, combined with a passion for food, has led to hosting, judging, and the release of her first cookbook, Simply Delicious.
About Fritz Schoon
Passionate about food, Fritz Schoon’s love for baking, particularly artisanal bread, has made him a sought-after figure in South Africa. Fritz’s career began with an apprenticeship under a fifth-generation Austrian master baker. He owns SCHOON Cafés across the Western Cape, and his bread is a staple in popular restaurant chains nationwide, making him an ideal addition to The Taste Master SA Junior.
