The search is on for the country's best baker and 12 teens are set to battle it out in the kitchen to win the title of Taste Master Junior.
The Taste Master Junior launches its debut season on Tuesday on SABC 2 at 7pm, showcasing the best young bakers from across South Africa. Based on the original award-winning baking competition reality show, the junior edition sees 12 talented youngsters aged between 13 and 17 years old, and are passionate about food, compete for a grand prize worth more than R200 000.
The 13 part reality show puts the young bakers to the test in weekly challenges, pushing their cooking abilities and creativity to the limit.
Among those to don the Taste Master Junior apron in the kitchen is 14-year-old Jahzara Ranjith from Cape Town, who is looking forward to watching herself on in action on TV.
"I've always followed the Taste Master SA on TV and wanted to be on it one day. When we saw the call for auditions for the junior version, my grandparents encouraged me to enter. I was excited that I made it through the three rounds of auditions.
"I am grateful and excited to be part of the show. I enjoy the cooking and baking process, but most of all eating what I make," she said.
Jahzara sees The Taste Master Junior as a chance to showcase her culinary skills and share her love for baking with the world. She enjoys experimenting with various flavour profiles and desserts.
Her passion for baking started at a young age, baking alongside her grandmother, Roshni Ranjith., she said: "I loved watching my gran in the kitchen and learning to cook and bake with her. I enjoy my gran’s mutton curry with dumplings and her stir fry. I also like making chocolate brownies and chocolate cake.
"I enjoy eating hot and spicy food. I guess in the competition I will need to tone it down and still ensure it's flavourful. I want to show off my traditional Indian dishes. I hope to win over the judges with my dishes and bakes. With the R150 000 winnings from Capitec I would use the money to go to medical school to study to become a doctor," said Jahzara.
When she isn't baking, Jahzara loves to spend time with her family, playing board games, and enjoys painting, and riding her bike.
Roshni said Jahzara was very little when she started playing with dough in the kitchen, and started to learn to cook and bake.
"I would roll roti's and she would play with the dough and try rolling it. She loves to add her extra touch and brings out the flavour in any dish. She loves her spices. As young as 14, she is excelling in the kitchen. It gives me pleasure to see her grow and excel in everything that she does, even in her academics. She maintains a good balance with her school work.
"Whatever she makes is delicious and full of flavours. When she prepares butter chicken she loves to add extra chilli and spice and make her own garlic naan bread. She also enjoys preparing Asian foods with noodles. When I was ill she made a spicy chicken soup which was divine. I am confident that she will impress the judges with her dishes," said Roshni.
Judges Zola Nene and Fritz Schoon will provide mentorship, critique and encouragement along the way. The show will also feature appearances from youth-focused guest judges.
“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,” said Nene.
Each contestant receives a KitchenAid Classic Stand Mixer. The winner will receive R150 000 from Capitec and a year’s supply of Clover products. Weekly challenge winners also win Samsung products and Clover hampers.
