It’s time for tough – and we don’t mean the meat

SPONSORED by Pick n Pay, and hosted by SA’s favourite bush cook and author, Justin Bonello, Ultimate Braai Master has shattered the stereotype of what can be prepared on an open fire for two consecutive seasons and this year is no exception. The third season of SA’s favourite gourmet braai adventure is now open for entries.

Season Two pitted SA’s top 15 braai teams against each other in some gruelling outdoor cooking challenges that saw the winning team Good Better Braai consisting of Braai Master, Jacques Bester and Braai Buddy and girlfriend, Nadia Botha, take home the title, R500 000 cash and the Renault Koleos 4 x4 valued at R340 000 together with Front Runner accessories valued at R15 000.

Season Three, supported by Coca-Cola, Renault Duster and Total, promises to be the most adrenalin-fuelled braai competition yet, with this year’s competitors travelling 9000km in the new Renault Duster 4 x4 on a 60-day road trip of epic proportions.

But there are only 15 spots around the Braai Master fire. So if you are keen to compete in SA’s toughest outdoor kitchen; are aged 18 years or older and want to walk away with the title, R500 000 cash, the brand new Renault Duster 4×4 valued at R260 000 and many more prizes, then enter online via www.ultimatebraaimaster.com by no later than February 21, or risk missing the chance of a lifetime. Title sponsor and the Pantry Partner, Pick n Pay, will support the top 15 teams with a fully stocked pantry across the 13-part series.

The third season will introduce a new judge, South African born executive chef Petrus Madutlela, who will join host Justin Bonello and executive chef judge Bertus Basson in putting contestants through their paces. Petrus’ culinary career spans some of South Africa’s top restaurants before he moved to London in 2010 where he’s worked alongside top chefs in the Savoy, the Michelin Star Restaurant Chapter One in Kent, and as head chef of The Hengist, a two rosette restaurant near Aylesford. Petrus plans on returning to South Africa with his wife and young son in May to join the Ultimate Braai Master Season 3 production.

Justin and tough taskmasters, Bertus and Petrus will be looking for teams showing imagination, innovation, a passion for local produce and a flair for flavour. Short-listed entrants selected from this season’s online entries will have to put their braai-smarts to the test at four regional auditions taking place in Johannesburg, Nelspruit, Durban and Cape Town during March, where Justin and the judges will select a national pool of finalists from which SA’s top 15 teams will be selected – including one wild card team as selected by Pick n Pay. The competition starts in May with the series premiering on ETV in time for this year’s summertime braai season.