MEET THE TASTE MASTER PROFESSIONAL SEAON 1 TOP 10
The Taste Master Professional, the inaugural professional edition of the SAFTA award-winning Taste Master series, brings together ten experienced chefs at various stages of their professional journeys, united by ambition, skill, and a drive to prove themselves at the highest level.
Over 12 weeks, they will compete in a series of cooking challenges, that test their technical mastery, creative vision, and ability to thrive in a high-pressure professional kitchen.
Ally Singer
For Cape Town creative Ally Singer, food is far more than what’s on the plate, it’s storytelling, sensory experience, and connection.
With a non-traditional culinary journey spanning food trucks, catering, cookbook development, curated dining events, and farm-to-table projects in Swellendam, Ally has built a hands-on understanding of food through creativity, entrepreneurship, and immersive guest experiences. Her cooking style is vibrant, wholesome, and deeply influenced by Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours, Jewish heritage, global travel, and a love for seasonal ingredients, often incorporating gluten-free and dairy-free alternatives through years of personal experimentation. Joining Taste Master Professional feels like a natural culmination of the many paths that have shaped her relationship with food, allowing her to combine flavour, design thinking, presentation, and storytelling in one space. Describing herself as “curious,” Ally brings a fresh perspective to the competition – one rooted in creativity, adaptability, and a passion for crafting dishes that leave a lasting impression.
Anthony Siphayi
Johannesburg-born Anthony Siphayi brings bold flavour, creativity, and a modern culinary perspective rooted in his passion for Asian cuisine.
Inspired by South Africa’s ever-evolving cultural landscape, Anthony sees food as a reflection of the country’s diversity blending techniques, flavours, and influences in ways that feel exciting and fresh. For him, joining Taste Master Professional is an opportunity to showcase innovative ideas while growing alongside chefs who share the same vision, discipline, and drive for excellence. He believes he brings spirit, dedication, and a strong understanding of the next generation of diners, all while pushing boundaries in the kitchen. Describing himself in one word as “classic,” Anthony is determined to prove that he is built for the pressure, creativity, and intensity of the competition.
Branwin Philander
Cape Town-based private chef Branwin Philander believes food has the power to bring people together, no matter their background, culture, or circumstance.
Inspired by family traditions centred around sharing meals during both celebration and loss, Branwin approaches cooking as a deeply emotional and storytelling-driven experience. Describing his style as playful, whimsical, and “sexy,” he blends refined French-inspired techniques with bold flavours, while drawing inspiration from Italian, Asian, and traditional African cuisine. Passionate about elevating local dishes into sophisticated fine dining experiences, Branwin creates food that feels nostalgic, meaningful, and deeply personal. For him, joining Taste Master Professional is about testing himself under pressure, sharing his journey with South Africa, and inspiring others to believe that hard work, resilience, and self-belief can change your future.
Damien Stemmet
Cape Town-based chef Damien Stemmet brings bold energy, vibrant creativity, and flavour-packed cooking into the Taste Master Professional kitchen.
Entering the competition is an opportunity for him to challenge himself in new ways, and showcase his abilities on a bigger stage alongside some of the industry’s top professionals. Passionate about growth, exposure, and proving to himself that he is capable of even more, Damien sees Taste Master Professional as a chance to evolve creatively and personally. For him, being part of competition is about taking opportunities fearlessly and trusting his instincts.
Francois Hugo
Cape Town chef Francois Hugo has built an extensive culinary career spanning restaurants, hotels, wine estates, and his own ventures, bringing years of experience and fearless creativity into the kitchen.
Having worked his way through roles from commis chef to executive chef, Francois describes his cooking style as “magical”, blending local flavours with unexpected twists, creativity, passion, and pleasure on every plate. Entering Taste Master Professional is his chance to showcase not only his talent, but also his individuality, proving that being different can be your greatest strength. With a desire to inspire others to chase their dreams, he hopes to bring something unique to both the competition kitchen and viewers at home. While his culinary journey is filled with achievements, Francois says his greatest accomplishment will always be his children.
Maseehah Karodia
For Johannesburg-based chef Maseehah Karodia, food has become both a personal and professional journey of growth, confidence, and creativity.
After studying professional cookery at the International Hotel School and Joburg Culinary and Pastry School, she gained hands-on experience working at hotels, while also building her own catering company. Maseehah describes herself as calm under pressure, with a culinary style that blends trendy dishes, comforting family-style flavours, and refined fine dining touches. Joining Taste Master Professional is an opportunity for her to push herself creatively, learn from other chefs, and immerse herself in a competition that celebrates versatility. One of her proudest accomplishments has been competing internationally against chefs from across the globe, proving to herself just how far her passion and determination can take her.
Charmaine Lehabe
Johannesburg’s Charmaine Lehabe brings a thoughtful and intentional approach to the kitchen and a fine dining and rustic, casual cuisine approach.
After earning her diploma in food preparation and cooking from Capsicum Culinary School she steadily worked her way through the culinary ranks, building a diverse foundation across multiple kitchen environments and private chef roles. For Charmaine, joining Taste Master Professional is about more than competition, it’s about growth, evolution, and bringing her voice to the plate. She believes great kitchens are built on rhythm, respect, consistency, and the ability to remain grounded under pressure, qualities she carries into every challenge. Describing herself in one word as “intentional,” Charmaine is ready to push beyond her comfort zone and prove herself among the country’s top culinary talent.
Nozi Bam
Originally from Matatiele and now based in Cape Town, Nozi Bam is a passionate young chef with a creative cooking style and a strong drive to make her mark in the culinary industry.
A graduate of Prue Leith Culinary Institute, Nozi sees this season of Taste Master Professional as an opportunity to showcase her talent, gain greater culinary exposure, and connect with leading figures in the food world. Describing herself as a true “go-getter,” she brings innovation, ambition, and a deep appreciation for both modern food trends and timeless classics into every challenge. Her proudest achievement to date is successfully launching and running her online bakery, Baked Haven, turning her passion for baking into a growing business.
Rebone Mojabeng Finger
Originally from Virginia, Rebone Mojabeng Finger is an emerging chef whose culinary journey has been shaped by discipline, curiosity, and a relentless desire to improve.
After graduating from the Food and Beverage Institute, Rebone developed experience across restaurant kitchens, hospitality environments, bakeries, and butchery spaces, building a strong technical foundation in everything from pastry work and sauces to refined plating and high-pressure service. Describing her culinary style as refined, experimental, and artistically playful, Rebone approaches food with intention, ensuring every flavour, texture, and visual detail serves a purpose on the plate. Joining Taste Master Professional is an opportunity to step beyond comfort, embrace pressure, and grow within a demanding professional environment that rewards creativity, adaptability, and precision. Calling herself “multifarious,” Rebone believes her greatest achievement has been evolving from a student unsure of their place in the industry into a confident young chef capable of holding their own in fast-paced professional kitchens while continuing to push toward excellence.
Sasha Small
Originally from Durban and now based in Cape Town, Sasha Small brings a bold and flavour-focused approach to the kitchen, centred around transforming familiar comfort food into elevated dining experiences.
After completing the Professional Culinary Arts programme at CTIA and earning her City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Food Preparation and Culinary Arts, Sasha built her experience through private dining, bespoke culinary experiences, and large-scale catering and event execution. Her work has allowed her to develop a versatile understanding of menu creation, flavour pairing, presentation, and hospitality across a range of cuisines. For Sasha, joining Taste Master Professional is an opportunity to push herself creatively, grow as a chef, and showcase her culinary identity on a larger stage. Describing herself as “driven,” she hopes to bring creativity, adaptability, and passion into every challenge, while proudly saying her greatest achievement will always be her children.
