Online Reporter
Andrew “Benjie” Benjamin has made MasterChef South Africa history after being crowned the winner of Season 6.
The 40-year-old Kimberley home cook, who works maintaining hazardous high-voltage electricity transmission lines, is the first winner from the Northern Cape. His victory comes with the coveted MasterChef South Africa title and R1 million in prize money.
Benjamin, affectionately known as “Benjie Baby” among the judges, contestants and fans, defeated 39-year-old Durban finalist Candice Meth in the season finale.
His journey began alongside 19 other home cooks competing for the title. Benjamin quickly emerged as a contender, winning “Dish of the Day” as early as the second episode.
He went on to secure seven challenge wins before the finale, earning a 10-minute time advantage for the final cook.
Among his standout dishes was his creative take on two-minute noodles, which he transformed into “Crêpes Suzette Benjette”. The dish was a favourite of judge Chef Katlego Mlambo.
Benjamin also impressed with a lamb pie praised by London-based guest judge Chef Nokx Majozi and won R100,000 during the season’s celebration of Mzansi’s food heritage.
In the final, Benjamin and Meth were given 120 minutes to prepare a three-course meal reflecting their journeys in the competition.
Benjamin served pan-fried salmon with leeks and white wine sauce as his starter, followed by pork belly with fennel and apple purées, mushy peas and red wine jus.
His dessert consisted of meringue, vanilla sponge cake, raspberry coulis, chocolate crème pâtissière and vanilla ice cream.
The ambitious menu tested Benjamin’s usually calm approach as several elements proved challenging and his decision to bake the apples to intensify their flavour put additional pressure on his time.
However, he completed the meal within the allotted 120 minutes.
The judges praised his salmon, while his pork belly main course was described by judge Zola Nene as resembling something from a fine-dining restaurant. His dessert completed the menu that secured his victory.
Benjamin said his win was particularly significant for the Northern Cape, where he hopes his journey will encourage other home cooks to showcase the province’s culinary talent.
“We can make great food and compete with the best in the rest of the country,” Benjamin said.
He said the Northern Cape was home to a range of flavours and distinctive cooking traditions, from Roodepan and Springbok to De Aar, Kuruman and the Kalahari.
Benjamin said he hoped his journey would give others the confidence to express themselves in the kitchen.
The new MasterChef South Africa champion plans to use some of his R1 million prize money to renovate his home and spoil his family, who supported him throughout the competition – IOL
