Jess and Nicole have a blast on MKRSA
The pair decided to film their audition video over the Easter weekend because they were having so much fun in the kitchen together.
My Kitchen Rules South Africa welcomed some born-and-bred Northsiders into their competition this year. Jessica Elizabeth Rodrigues Grobler and Nicole Samantha Rodrigues Grobler – yes, four names each, thanks to their Madeiran heritage – grew up on the West Rand of Johannesburg, from Weltevreden Park to Honeydew.
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“Our parents still live on the West Rand, but we’ve moved to Linden together. You have to beat that load-shedding traffic somehow!” chimed the pair.
If you are curious about their names, the sisters explained, “Our mom’s side of the family all carry through their mothers’ maiden names, as well as a second name. So our uncle, aunt and mom all have four names too!”
Jess and Nicole have both Zimbabwean and Madeiran roots. “Our dad is Zimbabwean, and our mom is Madeiran – we have to admit: we prefer the Madeiran food!”
Both studies at the University of the Witwatersrand; Nicole is a teacher at an all-boys school, and Jess is an attorney in Rosebank. They enjoy spending time with their loved ones, especially when there is a holiday or good food involved – even better: when these things are combined!
When asked what inspired their love for food, the sisters had this to say,
“We’ve grown up in a truly Mediterranean culture where every weekend means family and food. There is so much love in the kitchen, and the dining room table is always overflowing with delicious goodies and many laughs!”
The pair decided to film their audition video over the Easter weekend because they were having so much fun in the kitchen together.
“We weren’t nervous at all because we didn’t think we’d get in! When we found out we’d made it onto the show, we immediately got together to start planning menus … and of course, to have a celebratory drink!”
Jess’ culinary abilities are limited to toasted cheese, ramen noodles and popcorn. Nicole loves to cook Asian or Italian food (bao, dumplings, fresh pasta), bake delicious treats like crème brûlée donuts or her famous brownies, and to try out all the latest food trends on TikTok. She’s still working on those accordion potatoes!
“We’re massive MKR fans, so the family was out-of-this-world happy for us and excited! They know that Nicole has a lot of cooking talent to showcase, and that Jess loves reality TV, so this was really the opportunity of a lifetime,” concluded the sister duo.
