South Africa’s newly crowned MasterChef champion Andrew “Benjie” Benjamin never imagined he would make it to the finale, let alone walk away with the title and R1 million prize.
On Sunday, Season 6 of the reality cooking show came to an end with Benjamin making history as the first winner from the Northern Cape. The 40-year-old Kimberley father of three beat Durbanite Candice Meth in a nail-biting final showdown.
Affectionately dubbed “Benjie Baby” by the judges, Benjamin said the victory still felt surreal.
"It still feels like a dream and I ask myself, am I really the Masterchef champion. I didn't think I would make it this far in the competition. In the first two episodes the kitchen did feel intimidating and I didn't think I was cooking good food. I even said to my wife I don't think I will go far in this competition. It's tough and I'm not feeling myself.
"I then figured out how to work around certain things and how to be calm because you can lose yourself and concentration very fast in that kitchen. I told myself I must adapt very fast and change the ways I would do things normally," said the 40-year-old father of three from Kimberley.
He described Meth as an extraordinary and highly skilled cook, saying he knew he would have to bring his best to the final.
"I knew that if I am cooking against her I had to bring everything. And I had to make sure what I served there was no room for errors on my plate," he said.
Benjamin entered MasterChef for the first time this season, motivated by a desire to show his family and the Northern Cape community that it is possible to pursue a culinary dream.
"And that people in the Northen Cape can cook," he said.
A passionate open-fire cook, Benjamin said he knew he would have to step outside his comfort zone when he entered the competition.
“I love cooking on an open fire, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to cook the way I love to cook. I had to adapt and learn different techniques.”
For the past two years, Benjamin has also hosted a pop-up restaurant every four months in partnership with a local museum, helping to attract more visitors while showcasing his cooking.
His love for food began with his grandmother, who raised him.
"I always had a love for cooking. When I was in school I had a scrap book where I would keep recipes I had cut out. After school I would've liked to have gone to a culinary school but funds were limited.
When I started working and living alone my love for cooking developed further.
Benjamin said the competition taught him a great deal, particularly when it came to plating, presentation and desserts.
"I wasn't as refined in the beginning with my plating and presentation. I knew certain dishes had to be cooked and presented in a certain way. Through the show I learnt to make desserts.
"Having the camera was daunting and you felt nervous, but I learnt to get used to it. For certain techniques and recipes I had to watch videos on YouTube, Tik Tok and Facebook and apply in the Masterchef kitchen," he said.
From as early as the second episode, when he won the coveted “Dish of the Day”, Benjamin showed that he was a serious contender.
He secured seven challenge wins before the finale, including a valuable 10-minute time advantage. Among his standout creations was an inventive transformation of humble two-minute noodles into “Crêpes Suzette Benjette”. His winning streak also included a showstopping lamb pie.
He further won R100,000 in cash during the season’s celebration of Mzansi’s food heritage.
Benjamin said he had watched previous seasons of MasterChef before entering, taking note of mistakes made by past contestants, including under-seasoning food and cooking at the wrong temperature.
For the final challenge, Benjamin and Meth were given 120 minutes to prepare a three-course meal reflecting their personal journeys throughout the competition.
Benjamin opted for pan-fried salmon with leeks and a white wine sauce as his starter, followed by pork belly with fennel and apple purées, mushy peas and a red wine jus. Then, for dessert, he prepared a meringue, vanilla sponge cake, raspberry coulis, chocolate crème pâtissière and vanilla ice cream.
The judges praised the perfectly cooked salmon in his starter, while his beautifully plated pork belly main course delivered an impressive combination of flavours.
Judge Zola Nene described it as “something you would see in a fine-dining restaurant”.
At home, Benjamin said his signature dish is fire-grilled ribs served with relish and pap.
“That’s one of my comfort dishes. I also like to do kudu fillet with a biltong spice, served with seasonal vegetables or potatoes au gratin.”
With his R1 million winnings, Benjamin plans to spoil his family, renovate his home and revamp his kitchen.
Although his day job is as an electrician, Benjamin said he has a deep love and respect for his profession and does not intend to give it up.
“With regard to the cooking, I will do that on weekends. I want to focus on the local artisanal food producers of the Northern Cape, use their products and give them a platform,” he said.
For now, he has no plans to open his own restaurant.
His message to future MasterChef contestants is to never doubt yourself.
“It’s never too late to enter and to reach for your dreams.”
If you missed the finale broadcast on Sunday, catch the rebroadcasts on Saturday at 5pm on e.tv, on Saturday at 8.30pm on eExtra, and on Sunday at 5pm on eReality.
taschica.pillay@nationalmg.co.za