1. Introduction

1.1 The Taste Master Professional (“TMSA Pro”) is a 10-episode weekly reality competition television series that is provisionally scheduled to broadcast on SABC 2 between May and July 2026. 

1.2 TMSA Pro will be produced by Cardova Trading (Pty) Ltd (“Cardova”), who owns all rights, title and interest in and to TMSA Pro.

1.3 TMSA Pro will include a competition (“Competition”) where selected contenders (“Contenders”) will compete in various challenges during a total approximate period of 8 weeks between April and May 2026 (“Competition Period”), that will be televised as part of TMSA Pro. Specific dates for the Competition will be determined by Cardova at its sole discretion and may be amended at Cardova’s discretion.

1.4 By submitting your application for TMSA Pro, you accept and agree that the terms and conditions as set our herein are binding on you. A copy of these terms and conditions will be available on www.thetastemaster.co.za.

1.5 For the avoidance of any doubt, the terms and conditions as set out herein are in relation to the application process to stand a chance of being invited as a Contender for the Competition and TMSA Pro. Successful applicants will be provided with a separate Participation Agreement, which will set out the full terms and conditions for participation in the Competition and TMSA Pro.

2. Who can apply

2.1 In order to be considered as a Contender for the Competition, you must: – 

2.1.1 be a permanent legal resident of the Republic of South Africa (“South Africa”);

2.1.2 be 21 years of age or older at the time of submitting your application;

2.1.3 hold a qualification from a recognised culinary/chef institution;

2.1.4 have at least 5 years relevant culinary work experience; 

2.1.5 hold a valid passport with at least 4 open pages and that will remain valid for at least 12 months from the time of submitting your application;

2.1.6 ensure that, if selected as a Contender, you can be fully available to participate in the Competition on any dates and times as may be required by Cardova during the Competition Period; 

2.1.7 Not be a director, member, partner, employee, agent or consultant of Cardova, the SABC, or any of their holding companies or subsidiaries (collectively “Stakeholders”). 

3. How to apply

3.1 To apply, you must visit www.thetastemaster.co.za and complete the Application Form, upload your CV and follow all directions as provided on the Application Form.

3.2 Applications for Contenders will be open until 6 April 2026 (“Closing Date”). Notwithstanding the aforesaid, the Closing Date may be amended by Cardova at its discretion without further notice.

4. How Contenders will be selected

4.1 Cardova will in its sole discretion select a shortlist of applicants who will be invited to submit videos of themselves cooking and talking to camera (“Invited Applicants”) and may also invite such applicants for further auditions on such dates and times determined by Cardova. Cardova may at any time at its sole discretion cancel or withdraw an invitation that was sent to an applicant.

4.2 If an Invited Applicant fails to submit a video when requested to do so, or is for any reason unable to attend an audition, he/she will not be considered as a Contender.

4.3 Cardova will at its sole and unfettered discretion select the Contenders, who will be invited to participate in the Competition. Participation in the Competition will be subject to the selected person entering into and signing a written Participation Agreement that will be provided by Cardova.

5. The Competition overview and determination of the Winner

5.1 The Competition will be conducted and filmed at various locations, which may include locations within and/or outside South Africa, during the Competition Period.

5.2 Cardova will provide for reasonable transportation, accommodation and subsistence for the Contenders to participate in the Competition.

5.3 Contenders will be eliminated throughout the Competition Period.

5.4 The winner of the Competition (“Winner”) will be determined at the sole and unfettered discretion of Cardova, or its appointed representatives (e.g. Judges) and will be announced during the broadcast of the final episode of TMSA Pro (unless otherwise determined by Cardova).

6. Prizes

6.1 The Winner will receive a position as an assistant chef at a newly established Taste Master Kitchen in Paarl, Western Cape as well as accommodation in Paarl for a period of 12 months to the value of R200 000.

6.2 Cardova may at its sole discretion award further prizes throughout the Competition Period.

7. By submitting your Application, you acknowledge/agree/submit that: – 

7.1 if selected as a Contender, you will be available to participate in the Competition, without restriction, for the full duration of the Competition Period on such dates and times determined by Cardova.

7.2 you are 21 years of age or older.

7.3 you are a permanent legal resident of South Africa and you will produce your valid South African ID, or other valid ID with the necessary visas/permits that allows you to live and work without restrictions in South Africa, if and when requested to do so.

7.4 you hold a qualification from a recognised culinary/chef institution and that you will produce the necessary proof of such qualification when requested by Cardova;

7.5 you have at least 5 years relevant culinary work experience.

7.6 you hold a valid passport with at least 4 open pages and that will remain valid for at least 12 months from the time of submitting your application and that you will provide a copy of such passport if requested by Cardova.

7.7 all the information included on your Application and/or as otherwise provided by you is true.

7.8 you are not a member, director or employee of any of the Stakeholders. 

7.9 you have no contractual or other legal obligations that may conflict with your Application, participation in TMSA Pro and/or the Competition.

7.10 the determination of the Contenders will be in the sole and unfettered discretion of Cardova and you will not challenge same. 

7.11 TMSA Pro is sponsored by various Sponsors and, if selected as a Contender, you agree to make use of and/or engage with Sponsor products as and when required throughout the Competition. 

7.12 you expressly consent and agree that we may collect, receive, record, organise, collate, store, update, change, retrieve, read, process, consult, use and share your personal information for the purposes of administering your Application herein and your participation in TMSA Pro and the Competition. 

7.13 the Competition will be televised as part and parcel of TMSA Pro and/or as otherwise distributed by Cardova. 

7.14 Cardova may in its sole discretion amend these terms and conditions and/or elect to terminate this Application for whatsoever reason at any time without any liability to you.

7.15 if you are selected as a Contender, you will be requested to enter into and sign a written Participation Agreement, which will stipulate the terms and conditions for participating in the Competition and TMSA Pro. Should you fail to sign the aforementioned agreement within 24 (twenty-four) hours of it being provided to you, you will forfeit your opportunity to participate in the Competition and shall have no claim against the Stakeholders. 

7.16 These terms and conditions will be construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of South Africa.

8. Confidentiality 

You agree not to disclose to any third party, without the prior written consent of Cardova, any information relating to TMSA Pro/Competition, including, but not limited to, the application/selection process, the terms of the Participation Agreement (if invited as a Contender), nor any other information which may come to your knowledge relating to the Stakeholders or their agents, or otherwise in connection with to TMSA Pro, save for information which is already public knowledge through no fault of your own. 

9. Indemnity

The Stakeholders shall not be held liable and you hereby indemnify and hold harmless the Stakeholders and their employees, directors, agents and representatives against any damage or loss of whatsoever nature arising from your Application.

10. You warrant that:-

10.1  you understand and accept the terms and conditions contained herein and agree to be bound to these terms and conditions.

10.2  you have the legal capacity to send your application and to participate in TMSA Pro and the Competition.