Rising culinary stars on Taste Master Junior

ISAIAH Jaganathan, 16, is spicing things up in the Taste Master Junior kitchen as he joins some of South Africa’s youngest culinary talents as they showcase their creativity to millions of viewers.

The Taste Master Junior returned for its second season this week on SABC 2.

Over the next 12 weeks, 12 passionate young foodies will be guided in the Taste Master Junior kitchen by judges Zola Nene and Fritz Schoon.

Jaganathan's passion for cooking was nurtured by his late grandmother, Terry Naidoo, who encouraged him to pursue his dreams in the kitchen.

He said having followed reality cooking shows with his late grandmother, he could not believe that he had made it onto Taste Master Junior.

"I loved watching the intensity on Masterchef. When the call for the first Taste Master Junior went out last year my grandmother encouraged me to enter. I was nervous but gave it a shot.

"Unfortunately shortly after entering my gran passed away. I did not make the first season, but followed the show. When I was informed that I was selected for the second season I could not believe it. It was only when I was in the Taste Master kitchen in Cape Town that reality set in," he said.

Jaganathan, a Grade 11 learner formerly from Durban, now living in Midrand, said he has loved the whole experience thus far.

"It is such a wonderful experience cooking with so many ingredients. Just having the judges appreciate the food is what I personally enjoyed. And I got to make new friends.

"I think I did well cooking in front of the camera," he said.

In their first challenge contestants had to present their heritage on the menu. Teaming up with Tyler Robinson, Isaiah said in his first challenge cooked a curry dish, which he served with Tyler's Yorkshire pudding.

"The curry was very spicy because I added too much garam masala," he said.

Isaiah, who likes blending spices, said he enjoys Mexican food.

He said while he enjoys helping in the kitchen, it was his mother Rebecca who is the head chef at home.

Jaganathan said should he win he will put some of his R200 000 in winnings towards studying nursing, and buy his mom a gold chain.

Nene said she was excited to be back as a judge on The Taste Master Junior.

“These young contestants remind us that food is about joy, curiosity and sharing, and I cannot wait to encourage them as they find their voices through food," said Nene.

“It is an incredible honour to be part of a platform that inspires young culinary talent. My focus here is not just to judge the final product, but to instil in these juniors the discipline of quality and the courage to find their unique creative voice. The passion they bring to the kitchen today is the foundation of South Africa’s food culture tomorrow,” said Schoon.

The Taste Master Junior airs on a Tuesday at 7:30pm, with repeats every Wednesday at 1pm and Sunday at 4pm.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE