Image: Charlie Sperring

by Jan-Hendrik Botha

Twenty home cooks started on an unforgettable food journey, and only three were left in the final episode of MasterChef SA 2022. Dressed in their white chefs’ jackets for the very first time, Andriette, Shawn, and Tarryn returned to the kitchen for one last cook-off.

The symbolism behind the chefs’ jackets, according to Greg, was that they were no longer home cooks. 

 

Bearing gifts

To thank them for an extraordinary journey, Andriette, Shawn, and Tarryn were gifted with a wide assortment of kitchen equipment appliances, and they were all ecstatic.

Andriette in particular was very emotional. “I am so grateful. I’ve been saving up for a fridge because I’m still using mine from when I was a student." 


“I’m still using my ouma’s Kenwood [mixer] which has disintegrated by now – I can’t afford any of this so I’m just so grateful.”

 

A visit to Paternoster

As Zola mentioned in the previous challenge, the finale would consist of two challenges: the first one would see Andriette and Tarryn compete, and the second would see whoever made it through the first challenge compete against Shawn in the second and final challenge.

As part of the first challenge, our contestants were sent to Wolfgat in Paternoster. Here, Chef Kobus van der Merwe has diligently researched local and seasonal veld food and showcases a selection of signature Strandveld dishes made from ingredients indigenous to the West Coast. 



After our three contestants, together with Chef Kobus, foraged the coastline for unique ingredients directly from the ocean, Andriette and Tarryn had to document everything Chef Kobus had to show them.

After their journey to Paternoster, they returned to the MasterChef SA kitchen. This season’s contestants awaited them, returning to show their support from the gantry. Chef Kobus was also invited to serve as a mentor to our three finalists.


 

Too much tamarind, Tarryn

For the first challenge, Andriette and Tarryn had to recreate chef Kobus’s Cape Malay-inspired mussel masala served with klipkombers chutney, soutslaai and cucumber sambals, and delicious savoury custard made from mussel stock, coconut milk, turmeric, and eggs. 

To our contestants’ surprise, this was Chef Kobus’s take on the traditional bobotie. After 60 minutes of scrambling, it was time for Andriette and Tarryn to present their recreated dishes. 



Tarryn’s custard was the right thickness but lacked flavour. Andriette’s was too thin and overcooked but had the perfect flavour. 


Both Andriette and Tarryn’s mussels were cooked to perfection, however, Tarryn’s still had beards on them, something Kobus warned them to be wary of.

Andriette’s chutney was too salty, and Tarryn used too much tamarind.


Their sambals were equally balanced in terms of flavour, however, Andriette had better texture and therefore her dish was more balanced overall. 


Based on the judges’ critique, Andriette was sent to the second half of the final cook-off. 

 

A second chance and an ode to ouma

For their second challenge, Andriette and Shawn had to create a main course and dessert of their choice that would showcase their evolution from home cooks to master chefs. They had an open pantry and two hours to compete for R1 million and the title of MasterChef SA 2022. 


Kicking off, Shawn found it difficult to comprehend that he was competing against Andriette as, according to him, they are two different “flavour profiles”. 

Both agreed that while Shawn is methodical in his approach and very structured in the way he works, Andriette is an expert in making desserts and baking. 


The gantry was surprised to see the number of appliances Shawn had at his station. “Shawn has grande plans,” said Onti. “You can see he’s about to bring it.


“But Andriette is a silent killer,” she continued. “This girl has got punches when it’s time to throw punches.”

Andriette’s dessert was a homage to her “ouma”. “Day one when I walked in here, I had a dessert in mind that I wanted to dedicate to my ouma and I wanted to make it that day – now it’s the last cook and I can finally make it, but with more improvements and things that I’ve learnt in these past weeks,” she said emotionally. 

While Shawn was reaching his steps for the day, running up and down the kitchen, there was absolute chaos at Andriette’s station, with smoke filling the air, and lumps of cream and raspberries going up in the air. And though we were in awe of her process, Zola encouraged her to calm down, edit, and do what she could.
 

And the winner is...

Tasting Shawn’s pork tenderloin and quail eggs served with crackling crumb, smoked apple purée, bacon, charred leeks, and crème fraiche sauce, the judges felt that the quail egg was done to perfection. 

They agreed that that, together with the smoked apple purée, it brought the dish together, adding the perfect amount of sauciness and richness to the pork which, though beautifully cooked, lacked flavour.

His dessert had the perfect texture – fluffy, light, and not overly sweet.

Andriette’s butternut steak served with asparagus, red pepper sauce, ricotta, and smoked chimichurri impressed the judges. They felt that it was a bold move to go vegetarian for the finale and agreed that the flavours complemented one another.

Unfortunately, according to them, her plate lacked brightness and texture.


Andriette’s dessert also didn't fail to impress in terms of flavour and creativity, especially given the combination of fennel and raspberry.

Shawn’s ability to take calculated risks under pressure was ultimately what impressed judges throughout the season. Therefore, it was only appropriate that he be crowned the winner of MasterChef SA 2022. 

According to him, he learnt big lessons, loved the seven colours challenge, and can’t wait for the next step on his foodie journey. Watch below:

In case you missed the finale of MasterChef SA, catch up with DStv using your connected device. Join the online buzz on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with the hashtag #MasterChefSA.