MIXED REVIEWS AS KAMINI PATHER WINS MASTER CHEF SA
By Michelle Harripersadth
Master Chef South Africa announced the winner of the season Wednesday night after a nail-biting finale.
The 30-year-old former Durbanite, Kamini Pather, was crowned the winner, as she went head-to-head with her fellow competitor Leandri van der Wat for the title to be the next South African Master Chef.
Pather who is a freelance writer, photographer and radio host, had her goals set on being No 1. In an interview prior to the finale she said, “A few weeks ago I said the only place was first place and I mean that. I had always hoped I would get this far and eventually win the competition.”
The new SA Masterchef scored a warping 89 points putting Leandri as the runner-up with 83. As the show ended, viewers took to social media to vent their anger and frustration stating that the show was BEE based and that the best chef did not win.
Kamini Pather with ohn van Rooyen (Tsogo Sun Operations Director), Benny, Kamini, Richard Weilers (Tsogo Sun MD – Offshore), Jeff Rosenberg (GM Southern Sun Waterfront)
Morag Kimbrey shared on the Masterchef South Africa Facebook page that the show was ” Biased from episode one-BEE wins again,”Claudia Rossouw Ross took a swing at the judges claiming that the show was rigged.
“SA judges should take a few lessons from Gordon Ramsay, Joe Bastianich and
Graham Elliot, They rock! At least they don’t rig the shows and are bias like you 3, shame on you!” Said Ross.
As the controversy surrounding Pather’s win continues, several viewers stated that they will no longer watch the television show because of last night’s results.
Moosa Ballim wrote: “Please don’t bother making a 3rd season of MasterChef South Africa. I was a huge fan, not anymore! Kamini didn’t even deserve to be in this competition. Shame on you people. Shame on Mnet, the judges and shame on you Kamini!”
However, not all comments were negative. Leigh-Anne Hill wrote: “The best chef won, congrats girl and congratulations to Leandri you will definitely go places! Xx”.
As the debate and controversy surrounding tonight’s win continues on social media. It is safe to say that Pather has a bright future ahead of her. The grand prize for the competition is a cash prize of R400 000, a Golf 7 and a holiday for two in the Seychelles.
You have clearly won not just on sheer superior culinary execution, but also by your calm composure, your focus and intelligence way beyond your years. Ignore the BEE buzzers. You won fairly! Well done Kamini
I was actually impressed with Kamini from the start and chose her as my favourite to win. I was concerned when she buckled a little under the stress of following a complex recipe within limited timeframes, and thought that her run was over when she went head to head with Ozzy. I understood why the judges chose her, because the execution of her work was superior to Ozzy’s even though she didn’t present all the elements and Ozzy did. My wife and daughters disagreed with me (and the judges) and felt that Kamini should have been sent home for not having all the elements on the plate. I agree with the judges, although I understand the other point of view. Well done, Kamini.
yea disappointed with the result, a big let down, after all the hours watching, deflation at the end
Well I watched it in UK. You can say it was not fixed but I know what I saw. Are the rumors one judge is quitting in protest true?