The Taste Master judges have been announced, with two top chefs in charge of seeing who will win this new foodie reality show on SABC 3.
In the show South Africa’s hottest culinary sensations will be put to the test with a series of tasks as they battle it out in the hopes of becoming the brand-new resident foodie on SABC 3’s popular variety show Afternoon Express. The new resident foodie will be able to use the platform to showcase their gastronomic talents while making a name for themselves as an industry leader in the culinary space. Now, after announcing Harmony Katulondi as the official host, The Taste Master will see Zola Nene and Gregory Czarnecki serve as the series’ judges.
Zola Nene keen to find new talent
Zola Nene is no stranger to the world of television. This celebrity chef and author is best known as the resident chef on the SABC 3 breakfast show Expresso. Zola understands the ins and outs of creating mouth-watering foods while having a knack for television. Zola is continuously aware of the camera while cooking – a track which makes her the perfect judge for the debut season of The Taste Master.
Zola’s culinary journey has been an unconventional one. After studying a BCom law degree for two years, Zola realised that it was not the career path that she wanted. So, she applied for a holiday working visa and went to England where she looked for a job in a professional kitchen. She worked in a brasserie in Cheshire for two years, first as a hot section chef and then as the head pastry chef. After her two-year stint in England, Zola returned to South Africa and enrolled at the Institute of Culinary Arts in Stellenbosch. She specialised in Food Media in her third year of studies and subsequently worked at Top Billing magazine as a food assistant for six months. In 2010, Zola started her career as a celebrity chef by joining the Expresso Morning Show which ultimately saw her releasing her first cook book in 2016 called Simply Delicious while landing a stint of other impressive hosting and judging spots.
“I’m so excited to be judging The Taste Master,” Zola says. “I’m thrilled to be part of the process of giving this awesome opportunity to a fellow foodie.” She adds that she and Gregory will make the ultimate judging duo. “He’s the strict-straight-faced judge and I’m the smiley-happy-go-lucky judge so we strike a perfect balance,” she says.
Award-winning chef Gregory Czarnecki
Meanwhile, Gregory Czarnecki is one of the most prolific chefs in South Africa’s culinary landscape. Born in France, Gregory and his family moved to Sweden when he was just 15 days old, only to move back just a few months later. By the age of 17, had lived in a total of 19 countries. Each country had different ways of preparing food and it’s where his passion for food stems from.
Gregory is currently the Executive Chef of the Restaurant at Waterkloof in Somerset West, which recently won a Top 10 award in the Eat Out Mercedes Benz restaurant awards. Gregory has worked at several Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris, including Restaurant Senderens (with mentor and three-starred Michelin chef Alain Senderens), Lucas Carton and Pergolèse. He became the head chef at The Restaurant at Waterkloof in 2009 and has worked hard to make the restaurant one of the most sought-after eateries in the country.
Gregory says: “It always amazing to see people who have a passion for food but are probably working in a completely different field get out there and showcase their culinary talent to the rest of the world.” The chef adds that he’s looking for a chef that has attention to detail. “I will be keeping an eye on the contestant’s ability to be creative and consistent – both of which are keys to success for me. Personality will also play a big role as this will essentially come through their food and their ability to hold an audience.”
What: The Taste Master
Where and when: SABC 3 from 12 November 2019 at 7.30pm
WS
