Rejane and Chanelle exit MasterChef South Africa Season 6

Twenty talented home cooks stepped into the MasterChef South Africa kitchen this week, all competing for the R1 million grand prize. They soon discovered their toughest rival was not the cook beside them. It was the clock.

That pressure proved too much for Rejane Gwynne from Malgas in the Western Cape and Chanelle Gale from East London. They became the first two contestants eliminated from Season 6.

A twist in the first elimination challenge

In an episode filled with nostalgia and emotion, the judges introduced an early twist. After the very first elimination challenge, two contestants would be eliminated.

Each cook opened a mystery box to find a childhood photograph. The brief was clear. Create a dish inspired by that memory. Elevate it to MasterChef standard. Finish within 60 minutes.

The challenge sparked heritage-driven cooking. Staples such as carrots and cabbage appeared alongside proudly South African flavours. Springbok fillet. Snoek. Biryani. Pilchards. Samosas. The classic seven colours. Judge Justine Drake described one moment as a battle of the pap.

Time works against two cooks

Both Rejane and Chanelle honoured their fathers in their dishes.

Rejane prepared pan-fried rib-eye with pomme purée and asparagus. Chanelle recreated rys, vleis en aartappels with a wrapped lamb chop noisette, deep-fried potatoes and carrot purée.

Time was not on their side.

Chanelle admitted before judging that her plate was incomplete. She lost time deboning the lamb. Judge Zola Nene suggested a quicker French trim might have improved the final result. While her carrot purée received praise, the dish as a whole lacked cohesion.

Rejane struggled after spending too long in the pantry. The delay meant her rib-eye was undercooked. In the MasterChef kitchen, that mistake carries weight.

Bottom three and standout performers

Graphic designer Nkululeko Ngubane also landed in the bottom three. Not all elements of his dish were finished. Chef Katlego Mlambo noted his pap arancini was slightly dry and needed more cheese.

At the top, the judges praised Lesego Motshana from Limpopo, Western Cape senior attorney Ali Sonday and KZN-born entrepreneur Simele Shange.

Ali claimed Dish of the Day with a deconstructed samosa chaat. His plate featured a potato and chickpea filling, tamarind and coriander chutney, and a sweet yoghurt dressing.

His reward included an 84cm French-door fridge from Beko, equipped with an EverFresh setting to keep produce fresher for longer.

What’s next on MasterChef South Africa

Next week, the focus shifts from childhood memories to the judges’ personal favourites. Contestants must prepare dishes inspired by the judging trio’s most-loved meals.

MasterChef South Africa Season 6, produced by Homebrew Films for Primedia Studios, airs on e.tv on Sundays at 18:00. Episodes stream simultaneously on eVOD Live TV. Rebroadcasts air Saturdays at 17:00, with additional repeats on eExtra and eReality.

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