The Taste Master Junior kitchen turned bittersweet this week as the competition’s first double elimination saw Aphiwe Sithole and Kimberly Porter bid farewell to the show. In an episode themed around jams and preserves, the bottom six contestants were challenged to master the art of transforming fresh fruit into something spectacular.
Before tackling their individual dishes, the young cooks attended a masterclass with Gabi Esposito, Food Creative, who guided them through the delicate balance of flavour, texture, and technique needed to create perfect preserves.
Aphiwe impressed with creativity, preparing a pancake stack topped with mixed berry compote and cream. Unfortunately, the technical side of the dish proved tricky. The compote was added to the cream while it was still warm, causing the cream to lose its structure and turn runny, ultimately compromising the texture and presentation of the dish. The judges added that there wasn’t enough compote, leaving them wanting more of the star element.
“I am disappointed about going home. I thought I would stay longer and I really wanted to make my parents proud, but I know I have already made them proud by being on the show,” Aphiwe said. “The experience was incredible. I loved being up close to and learning from the judges, working with people I’ve never meet before and getting my chef’s jacket!”
Kimberly presented a fruit salad with granadilla Greek yogurt, alongside fruit scones with strawberry jam, cream, and cheese, a menu that showcased her ambition and love for flavour. However, the judges said that her jam was too sweet and thick, while the scones were overbaked and dry, missing the light, crumbly texture the judges were looking for.
“I enjoyed the show so much because I got to show South Africa, no wait, the world, what I am capable of!” said an emotional Kimberly. “What I learned was that failing at a task is okay. It’s not what you fail at that defines you, it’s how you overcome those failures and keep moving forward. People still love you even if you are not perfect. Oh, and seasoning is definitely your friend, not your enemy!”
As the competition heats up, the kitchen is proving to be full of surprises, and plenty of flavour! With every challenge, these young chefs continue to learn, grow, and show that talent has no age limit. As the challenges get tougher and the flavours bolder, one thing’s certain, The Taste Master Junior kitchen is only going to get more exciting from here!
Watch new episodes of The Taste Master Junior Season 2, brought to you by Clover, airs every Tuesday at 7:30pm on SABC2, with repeats every Wednesday at 1pm and Sunday at 4pm.
