In spite of injuring herself in the kitchen, Ballito’s Shreya Beekum has made it to the top 12 contestants in the 2024 MasterChef South Africa kitchen.

The 22-year-old is determined to bag the R1-million cash prize and the bragging rights that come with the title.

Growing up, her grandmother let her in on the secrets of making the perfect dish.

From baking cakes, to rolling rotis and folding samosas, she has perfected a variety of different cooking styles, making her one to watch in the competition.

“My family always asks for seconds whenever I make butter chicken and chocolate mousse cake. These dishes are a definite crowd pleaser,” said Bekuum.

The University of Pretoria Bachelor of Consumer Sciences graduate has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and says she has used it to her advantage in the kitchen.

By channeling her energy into her cooking she finds the creativity to explore new methods and cooking styles.

“I have tons of energy to keep me on my feet and to keep me trying new things,” she said.

The journey on the MasterChef Kitchen hasn’t been easy for Beekum, she chopped up more than the shallots with her super sharp Wüsthof knife and was rushed to the emergency room, but she still came back and continued cooking. Luck was not in her corner however and she didn’t get the dish right in the next round, landing her in the bottom three.

“I think having an injury in the previous challenge threw me off, as I was still nervous,” she said.

Beekum said she would not allow these mishaps to get her down and planned to bring her best game to the next round.

The premiere episode of MasterChef South Africa Season 5 airs on Saturdays at 7.30pm on S3 (formerly SABC 3). The final episode will be broadcast on 23 November.

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