MasterChef SA’s ‘Singing Chef’ Josh Lotz eliminated after brutal dessert challenge

Venecia Valentine

Tension exploded in the MasterChef South Africa kitchen this week as the competition narrowed down to the Top 10 contestants following the season’s toughest challenge yet.

And in a heartbreaking twist for fans, Pretoria home cook Josh Lotz, affectionately known as the show’s “Singing Chef”, was sent home after struggling through an intense Pressure Test dessert challenge.

Known for his theatrical personality, spontaneous singing and quirky commentary throughout the season, the 28-year-old contestant titled his final dessert “A Tale of Trauma”, a fitting description for the chaotic cook that ultimately ended his MasterChef journey.

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The Pressure Test that pushed contestants to breaking point

The episode introduced the season’s first Pressure Test, forcing contestants to recreate an intricate dessert designed by guest chef Motheba Makhetha.

The challenge centred around a technically demanding Paris-Brest, a classic French choux pastry dessert layered with:

• peanut butter mousse
• banana jam
• peanut praline
• chocolate ganache
• caramelised peanuts
• chocolate decorations

Contestants were required to replicate the dessert exactly while following a detailed six-page recipe.

With multiple delicate components and little margin for error, the challenge quickly became one of the most stressful moments of the season.

“What does porridge smell like?”

One of the biggest stumbling blocks involved the choux pastry itself.

Chef Motheba instructed contestants that the dough should “smell like porridge” before baking, leaving several contestants visibly confused.

As pressure mounted, mistakes began piling up across the kitchen.

Judge Zola Nene soon noticed something burning, only to discover contestant Candice’s choux pastry had overcooked badly.

Candice later joked that the failed pastry looked like “a mountain scorched by the sun.”

Josh’s dish falls apart despite help from fellow contestants

While several contestants struggled during the challenge, Josh appeared to face the most setbacks.

His first batch of choux pastry failed completely, forcing him to restart one of the dessert’s most time-consuming elements.

Later, he accidentally burnt his peanuts, creating another major obstacle.

Fellow contestant Dr Phil stepped in to help by offering spare peanuts, but the damage had already been done.

Despite previously delivering one of the season’s winning dishes, Josh landed in the bottom two alongside Ntobeko.

The judges ultimately agreed that neither contestant had successfully executed the dessert, but Josh’s errors proved more costly.

Judges make the final decision

The elimination decision was made by judges:

• Katlego Mlambo
• Zola Nene
• Justine Drake
• guest judge Motheba Makhetha

Josh’s departure officially locked in the show’s Top 10 contestants.

The remaining home cooks now include:

• Shoki
• Candice
• Benjie
• Dr Phil
• Calvin
• Keith
• Jeshen
• Simele
• Ntobeko
• Nkululeko

Meanwhile, Benjie secured his second challenge win of the season after delivering what judges described as a flawless dessert presentation.

What happens next on MasterChef South Africa?

The competition is far from slowing down.

In the next episode, the Top 10 contestants will face another unexpected challenge: transforming instant two-minute noodles into a dish worthy of the MasterChef kitchen.

MasterChef South Africa Season 6 airs on e.tv every Sunday at 18:00, with simultaneous streaming available on eVOD Live TV.

Episodes are also rebroadcast:

• Saturdays at 17:00
• on eExtra at 20:30
• on eReality on Sundays at 17:00

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