MasterChef South Africa judge Benny Masekwameng must be one of the busiest chefs in the country. His services and culinary know-how are in big demand and, since his appearances on MasterChef South Africa, he hasn’t touched sides. He will be appearing on Saturday (25 July) at the Good Food & Wine Show where he will be preparing some of his favourite dishes at the Tastic stand from 10am to 7.30pm.
Asked whether he watched himself on TV and was critical of his image he laughed loudly. “I do watch myself and I find it surreal. I am very critical of myself and am always looking at ways to improve my television image.”
Working on the MasterChef South Africa series has been a life changing experience for this big, likeable chef who has captured the hearts of South African television viewers with his wide and warm smile, and who has become something of a national treasure.
“I didn’t expect the popularity of the show. But I love it; it’s fun. I enjoy travelling, meeting people and, best of all, cooking.”
Masekwameng will be preparing the kind of meals that people can make at home. The ideas are simple, but he’ll show visitors how to enhance the dishes and present them in such a way that they will be the envy of friends and family.
So what is one of the first things he will be talking about at his demonstrations: “Seasoning! You have to taste your food while you are cooking, that’s the cardinal rule. You need to give the ingredients the respect they deserve and perfect the dish with the best cooking methods,” he says.
He’ll also be showing visitors to the show how to prepare dishes such as Spicy Fish and Rice Casserole, Garlicky Chicken & Meatballs with Mediterranean Vegetables Bake, Rice Fritters, Chicken and Rice Chow-Chow and Casserole with Rice, Beef, Green Beans and Tomato
Masekwameng is just part of a bumper line-up including MasterChef Australia winner Bret Owens, a fellow MasterChef judge John Torode and Food Network’s Siba Mtongana, presenter of Siba’s Table.
There are plans for his own cooking TV show and he hopes to write a cook book of his own recipes one day.
The Good Food & Wine Show Johannesburg
Dates: Thursday, 23-26 July.
Venue: Ticketpro Dome (formerly the Coca-Cola Dome), Corner Olievenhout and Northumberland Roads, Northriding
Hours: Thursday, 23 July, to Saturday, 25 July, 10:00-20:00; Sunday, 26 July, 10:00-18:00
Cost: R130 for adults, R110 for pensioners, R110 for children 13-18 years old, R50 for children 7-12 years old, free for children under the age of six.
Tickets: Available through Computicket (www.computicket.com) or at the door.
