A Toti cook with no culinary experience is making a name for herself on MNet’s second season of the MasterChef television programme.
Karen Els (nee Botha) was born in Ladysmith, but lived in Toti from the age of two-years-old. She attended Kuswag Skool from grade 1 to matric.
“My absolute passion for food and cooking, and because I’m definitely the number one fan of the show made me enter,” said Karen.
“MasterChef SA takes an ordinary person like myself and makes their foodie dreams come true. The experience that I got from this adventure was priceless.”
The programme was filmed during December and January, but as not to spoil viewers’ enjoyment, the Sun will not reveal inside knowledge beyond episode 14 which aired on Wednesday evening, 24 July, other than to say Karen’s apron strings are still firmly tied and she is through to the top 11.
“In the beginning to cook in front of cameras and judges was new, weird and a bit in your face, but after a while you get used to it, and even now, cooking at home, I just start talking to myself, and start to explain my dish. I loved the cameras, it was so much fun.
I learnt that I still had it in me to dream, to reach my goals and start living from my MasterChef experience. It is such an empowering experience, and if a stay-at-home mom with three young children can do it, anybody can.”
Karen said the knowledge she received from culinary experts, advice from the judges, and tips and hints from fellow contestants all made her a better cook, with a clear idea of what she wants to do. “We recently moved to Johannesburg. All my family is here. But I miss everything about Toti. The people, the beach, the Highlands Gathering every year, and my old school Kuswag. My heart still lives in Toti. It will always be my home.”
