Culinary art master

MasterChef SA winner, Durbanite Deena Naidoo, is on Wednesday facing a dramatic change in life as he contemplates R8 million in prizes, including running a restaurant at Johannesburg’s entertainment mecca, Montecasino.

But, blessed with a ready sense of humour, Naidoo, 45, said there would not be a complete relocation of his family. “It won’t be a family business – I understand the stereotype associated.”

Television viewers held their breath as Naidoo was declared the winner of M-Net’s hugely-popular cooking series last night.

He celebrated his win with rival Sue-Ann Allen, 30, a lighting designer from Cape Town, and the 16 other hopefuls, who got the chop during the five-month reality show, at the MondoVino Restaurant at SunSquare, Montecasino.

The final face-off with Allen comprised a mystery box test, innovation test and pressure test.

An innovative cook, who relies on a lifetime of cooking experience focusing on South African cuisine as opposed to Indian dishes, Naidoo made a medley of vegetables starter, drawing attention to the colourful presentation and flavour when plating.

And judges Andrew Atkinson, Benny Masekwameng and Pete Goffe-Wood were impressed. For his main, a coriander-crusted lamb loin, Atkinson praised his lamb as a “winner by itself”.

Masekwameng loved the lightness of his bhajia, which accompanied his main.

But what helped Naidoo clinch the title was his take on a South African classic where he had to deconstruct a milk tart. Unfortunately, Allen ran out of time in finishing her dish.

Naidoo, accompanied by his wife, Kathy, looking ravishing in a blue sari, was overcome when he was announced the winner.

A competition that saw him experience highs like meeting celebrity chef Michel Roux, and lows like being in the bottom three for the passion hazelnut gateau in episode 12 – he certainly earned his title and apron.

On his win, Naidoo said: “First and foremost, thank you Almighty. He has been there with me throughout, even in my darkest moments and when I was my weakest. And to my beautiful wife… my pearl. I need to thank the actual sponsors: Robertsons, Unilever, Hyundai, Nederburg and Southern Sun.

Biggest

“I left MasterChef being a stronger and more talented cook.”

He walks away with the biggest prize package in South African television history.

This comprises R250 000 from Robertsons, a Hyundai Elantra 1.6 GLS, a seven-day culinary experience in Italy and an Italian cooking course sponsored by Woolworths, a year’s supply of Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve wines, a customised sommelier course and, the best for last, the MondoVino at Tsogo Sun’s SunSquare for two years.

Of his plans for the restaurant, Naidoo said: “I had given that some thought. Very few restaurants represent the multicultural nation we live in. That would be something I am working on.”