In an immensely exciting final episode, Deena Naidoo clinches the first ever South African MasterChef title.
Deena was the outright favourite in the run-up to the event. He has a wonderfully genuine and sweet demeanor that has won the hearts of South Africans over the long weeks of the MasterChef screening.
The grand finale
Deena came back with force after a bit of a shaky 1st pressure test. His main course of spiced lamb loin was fantastic and he finally won over Sue-Ann by reproducing Benny’s decontructed milk tart.
It was a close call and they were neck and neck for a long time. Sue-Anne did extremely well and proved that she deserved to be in the top 2.
His many talents
He has proved his mettle along the way with his many talents.
A great leader: Who could forget the way he whipped everyone into shape on the SAS Amatola for the Blue Team. Needless to say his team won the challenge.
A curry master: Deena won top marks from the judges in episode 6 for the curry challenge.
A versatile cook: He proved himself beyond belief when he absolutely aced the pressure test in episode 12 when he made that beautiful and extremely difficult Hazelnut Gateau made by the Cape Grace pastry chef – Lorraine Meany.
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Good under pressure: In the seriously exciting episode 18 he cooked an intricate dish by none other than Margot Janse in only 90 minutes.
All these attributes tell us that Deena has well and truly earned his magnificent prizes.
The prizes
The Masterchef South Africa Winner prize includes:
• R250 000 in cash from MasterChef South Africa’s headline sponsor, Robertsons, for the winner to realize their culinary dream.
• A Hyundai Elantra 1.6 GLS, valued at over R190 000.
•
An all-expenses paid 7 day culinary experience in Italy courtesy of
official food sponsor, Woolworths, including flights, accommodation and
an Italian cookery course.
• From the official wine sponsor,
Nederburg: A customised sommelier course developed for the winner by the
South African Sommelier Association, using Nederburg wines to
demonstrate wine and food pairing; one-on-one masterclasses presented by
Nederburg’s award-winning cellarmaster, Razvan Macici; and a year’s
supply of Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve Wines.
• And in a coup for the series, the MondoVino restaurant at Southern Sun’s Montecasino!
Can he prove his worth as the head of the MondoVino restaurant at Montecasino?
Congratulations Deena, we are so proud of you!