Lani

Who taught you how to cook?

Both my husband’s grandmothers. Ouma Tok and Ouma Alida taught me how to cook. My mother in law Delene is still teaching me many kitchen secrets to this day.

What style of food will you be cooking on MKRSA?

I cook farm-style and traditional South African Food. My daughter brings a new twist to these old favourites, which is why we make such a great team.

What ingredients do you use a lot of?

I use Karoo lamb and venison from our farm and fresh vegetables and herbs from the vegetable garden. Il like to source local products from neighbouring farms like chicken, eggs, milk and cream.

What are your daughter’s most annoying habits?

She sometimes lets out a swearword or two. But I am her mother and I can tell her not to do that.

What is your ultimate food dream?

Louzel and I would love to publish a recipe book honouring our heritage of home cooks an telling our family stories.

What are your hobbies other than cooking?

I am also a potter and besides cooking, it is something that I am very passionate about. I do a lot of sewing and I am always crocheting something when my hands are not doing something else.

What do you love most about your team mate?

The thing that I love most about my daughter is that she is bold and has lots of confidence.

What is your favourite South African Dish?

Karoo Lamb.

Louzel

How did you decide to enter MKRSA?

We saw the advertisement on M-Net and when I phoned my mom, my dad had already encouraged her to do the same.

How would you describe your relationship with your mother?

One day, my mom was baking cakes in the stand mixer when I decided to join her. We still bake with that same mixer. We have a very solid relationship, and she is one of my closest friends.

What ingredients do you use a lot of?

Lamb from our farm in Cradock is a daily treat. Other than that, I have loads of spices in my cupboard, with sumac perhaps being one of my favourites.

Where does your passion for food come from?

I come from such a long line of proud, formidable women and home cooks, I think cooking has been etched into my DNA.

What do you see as your biggest strength in the competition?

I think the fact that I am cooking with my mom is not only an advantage, but a massive privilege.

What are your biggest weaknesses in the competition?

I Think the fact that I am a green 26-year old, means I have less experience than the rest of the contestants.

What is your favourite South African Dish?

Karoo Lamb would take top prize.

My Kitchen Rules South Africa is a proudly local M-Net Production, and will screen on DStv Channel 101 every Sunday, at 18:00.

Join the conversation, critique and gossips on Social Media:

#MKRSA

@MNET

J’Something: @jsomethingmusic

David Higgs: @David_Higgs

Team Liz & Leanne: @elizma_nass and @Leanne2810

Team Rein & Rowan: @RowanHoenselaar

Team Bruce & Claudia: @ClaudiabruceX

Team Kelly & Claire: @Kelly_Groger

Team Lani & Louzel: @lanilombard_ and @louzellombard

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Bruce

Who taught you how to cook?

My mother had a large influence on my passion for cooking, and her Asian roots have also played a big part in our style as a team.

What style of food will you be cooking in MKRSA?

Asian-influenced food will be predominant along with lots of spices and chillies.

How competitive are you?

I am extremely competitive. Given that I am a multiple world champion in Martial Arts, I think it’s safe to say that being competitive is definitely in my nature.

What are you partner’s most annoying habits?

Claudia is horrible with not setting timers, and sometimes gets distracted, leaving things to burn.

What is your dynamic like in the kitchen?

Our dynamic is awesome, we have such a great synergy! Claudia always has my back, no matter what.

What do you see as your biggest strength in the competition?

Our unpredictability. Nobody knows what to expect from us and so we constantly keep them guessing.

What does an average dinner at your house look like?

Healthy and hearty. Nutrition is very important to me given all the training I do, however, we like flavourful food too.

What is your favourite South African product?

I love rooibos tea. There is something so uniquely South African about rooibos.

Claudia

How did you decide to enter MKR?

My whole family loves to watch the Australian version of MKR and we always have very strong opinions and large debates around the show, so when we saw that SA was planning their own version, we were so excited.

For how long have you and your partner known each other?

Bruce and I have known each other for 16 years. I saw him at a Kung Fu function and fell instantly in love with him. Now we are married with two beautiful boys. We are an example of how opposites attract, and could not be more different if we tried. This works in our favour as his strengths compliment my weaknesses and vice versa.

Who taught you how to Cook?

My gran inspired a love of baking however I have learnt a lot on my own and am addicted to trying out new recipes all the time.

What ingredients do you use a lot of?

I love cream, butter, sugar and of course chocolate. I am more partial to the more decadent flavours and I tend to saw more to the sweet side of things.

How opinionated are you?

I am most definitely opinionated. I like things a certain way and I am happy to stand by that.

What are your partner’s most annoying habits?

Bruce uses every dish and utensil in the kitchen so I am often tidying up after him. Also, he is not a fan of dessert…

Where does your passion for food come from?

I was born in Mauritius and have travelled all over the world. I find that I associate certain flavours and dishes with certain places. I love the way that certain foods evoke certain memories and feelings.

What are your biggest weaknesses in the competition?

I think that our plating is probably our weakest point, we usually focus on how the food tastes and less on how it looks.

My Kitchen Rules South Africa is a proudly local M-Net Production, and will screen on DStv Channel 101 every Sunday, at 18:00.

Join the conversation, critique and gossips on Social Media:

#MKRSA

@MNET

J’Something: @jsomethingmusic

David Higgs: @David_Higgs

Team Liz & Leanne: @elizma_nass and @Leanne2810

Team Rein & Rowan: @RowanHoenselaar

Team Bruce & Claudia: @ClaudiabruceX

Team Kelly & Claire: @Kelly_Groger

Team Lani & Louzel: @lanilombard_ and @louzellombard

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Kelly

How did you decide to enter MKRSA?

Claire and I were enjoying margaritas at a restaurant and Claire suggested we enter after seeing the auditions being advertised. We had nothing to lose, love our food, and the rest is history.

For how long have you and your partner known each other?

Claire and I have been friends for 10 years after meeting at a book club that was organised by a mutual friend.

What style of food will you be cooking in MKRSA?

We love French cuisine and Asian fusions too. We are also fans of good home, slow-roasted cooking.

How opinionated are you?

I am fairly opinionated – what you see is what you get with me.

What is your ultimate food dream?

To be a food critic. That would enable me to travel and eat in all the fine3st restaurants around the world.

What are your hobbies other than cooking?

Horse riding, cycling, triathlons, and scuba diving – I just love being active. I have jumped out of planes and flown helicopters too.

What do you love most about your team mate?

I can tell her absolutely anything. There are no secrets between us and we never judge one another.

What’s your favourite South African Dish?

Rib Eye Steak all the way.

Claire

Who taught you how to cook?

I have loved being in the kitchen since I was a little girl. From gutting fish with my dad to watching my mom make beautiful paellas and curries.

How competitive are you?

Both Kelly and I are competitive. I learnt from an early age that first is everting, second is nothing.

Who would you say is the head chef in your pair?

If we are baking, I am definitely the boss. With everything else, we tend to work very well as equals.

Where does your passion for food come from?

My passion for food comes from my parents. They have insisted that we sit and eat together as a family no matter what day it was. They both love being in the kitchen and I have learned so much from them.

What is your ultimate food dream?

I would love to own a beer and bread “Truck” selling beautifully homemade bread and home brewed beer with beautifully cured meats and homemade cheeses.

What are your hobbies other than cooking?

I love to run. I have 3 small children so love spending time with them. I also love my sport – I love watching rugby and cricket whether it is live or on TV.

What do you love most about your team mate>

I love Kelly’s strong personality and her ability to make me laugh and pick me up w2hen I am down. I love her sense of humour.

What is your favourite South African dish?

My most favourite South African dish to cook are potjies – they are just so delicious.

My Kitchen Rules South Africa is a proudly local M-Net Production, and will screen on DStv Channel 101 every Sunday, at 18:00.

Join the conversation, critique and gossips on Social Media:

#MKRSA

@MNET

J’Something: @jsomethingmusic

David Higgs: @David_Higgs

Team Liz & Leanne: @elizma_nass and @Leanne2810

Team Rein & Rowan: @RowanHoenselaar

Team Bruce & Claudia: @ClaudiabruceX

Team Kelly & Claire: @Kelly_Groger

Team Lani & Louzel: @lanilombard_ and @louzellombard

The post Kelly and Claire appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Rowan

For how long have you and your partner known each other?

Rein and I have known each other since high school, where we met playing water polo. After a seven year stint when Rein was gallivanting around Holland, we met up again and been greatest of mates ever since.

Who taught you how to cook?

I am very much a self-taught cook. Rein and I have now been cooking together for a few years, so I have learnt a lot from him in the process.

How competitive are you?

We are both very competitive since we have been playing competitive sports all our lives. We plan to take that straight into the kitchen and this competition.

What are your partner’s most annoying habits?

Rein’s lack or care for time and his propensity for wanting to try something new on a dish that we have set out for serving already.

What ingredients do you use a lot of?

We like to use a lot of different meat cuts and types and to cook them in different ways. We experiment with ingredients such as pork check and guinea fowl.

What does an average dinner at your house look like?

The average dinners are usually quite simple in our home. My girlfriend is gluten and dairy intolerant so we do need to think out of the box most nights.

What’s your favourite South African dish?

Anything game related!

Rein

How did you decide to enter MKRSA?

My mother-in-law insisted that we enter, and one doesn’t argue with one’s mother-in-law!

What style of food will you be cooking in MKRSA?

I am a lover of east and west and we will probably be cooking a fusion of Asian and Mediterranean dishes at some point. At the same time we will be3 embracing our local produce and techniques.

Who taught you how to cook?

My mother gave me my passion for food, and I have had the privilege of experiencing some amazing chiefs when I lived in Holland for seven years. I was exposed to a lot of great restaurants and food when I was there and it ignited my passion for food.

What are you partner’s most annoying habits?

Never making sure that there is enough cold beer.

What do you love most about your team mate?

His serious, silent first impression is calming in the kitchen, but he is so passionate too. I knew Rowan was the best partner after entering lots of potjiekos competitions together.

 hat is your ultimate food dream?

To own my own country style restaurant. It will be predominantly outdoors and will offer my guests unique and fantastic ways to experience food and quality beverages.

My Kitchen Rules South Africa is a proudly local M-Net Production, and will screen on DStv Channel 101 every Sunday, at 18:00.

Join the conversation, critique and gossips on Social Media:

#MKRSA

@MNET

J’Something: @jsomethingmusic

David Higgs: @David_Higgs

Team Liz & Leanne: @elizma_nass and @Leanne2810

Team Rein & Rowan: @RowanHoenselaar

Team Bruce & Claudia: @ClaudiabruceX

Team Kelly & Claire: @Kelly_Groger

Team Lani & Louzel: @lanilombard_ and @louzellombard

The post Rein and Rowan appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Liz

For how long have you and your partner know each other?

Leanne and I have known each other for just over two years now. Finally, I found someone who shared my fussiness about food, someone who thinks in food language, someone who plans her week around food.

What style of food will you be cooking in MKRSA?

Soulful home-cooked food with a twist and twirl and a great combination of sweet and savoury. Leanne is the savoury soul and I am the Sweet Queen.

What ingredients do you use a lot of?

I cannot cook without salt, olive oil, home-made stock, different types of fruit, fresh meat, coriander, braai salt, cream and butter, rocket, fresh Rosa tomatoes and loads of cheese.

How competitive are you?

I am a serious competitor. I don’t like taking part in competitions for fun…

What do you love most about your team mate?

I love Leanne’s craziness and her strong will. What’s right is right, and wrong is wrong. With Leanne, everything is very clear, there are no grey areas.

What’s your favourite South African Dish?

Soft / raw biltong – The rarer the better.

Leanne

Who taught you how to cook?

My mom taught me to cook and bake at a very early age when we used to cook on the family farm. Cooking with my mom has always been a very special thing for us and I have passed this tradition over to my daughters now.

What style of food will you be cooking in MKRSA?

Soulful food that comes from the heart, plated with love and handled with respect.

What are your partner’s most annoying habits?

Time management and not cleaning up after herself – I am always chasing her with a cloth…

What is your ultimate food dream?

A fine dining experience on wheels. Ideally we want to tour South Africa, rolling out a red carpet wherever we are, presenting a beautiful, soft and elegant restaurant with a menu that is only revealed once our guests arrived.

What are your hobbies other than cooking?

Hunting, Family time, going to the gym and coaching sports for kids

What do you love about your team mate?

I love Liz’s determination and her ability to create magic from nothing. She will do anything for me as a friend and will carry me when I need help. Most of all, her honesty and integrity, and her passion for life and family.

What is your favourite South African Dish?

Venison. I love cooking venison meat and can process a whole carcass on my own.

My Kitchen Rules South Africa is a proudly local M-Net Production, and will screen on DStv Channel 101 every Sunday, at 18:00.

Join the conversation, critique and gossips on Social Media:

#MKRSA

@MNET

J’Something: @jsomethingmusic

David Higgs: @David_Higgs

Team Liz & Leanne: @elizma_nass and @Leanne2810 

Team Rein & Rowan: @RowanHoenselaar

Team Bruce & Claudia: @ClaudiabruceX

Team Kelly & Claire: @Kelly_Groger

Team Lani & Louzel: @lanilombard_ and @louzellombard

The post Liz and Leanne appeared first on Stage and Screen.

How the Show Works.

Two celebrity judges embark on a journey across the country in order to find the best home cooks who can successfully transform their regular South African homes into “Instant Restaurants” for one pressure-cooker night.

Ten Teams of two will do battle from the comfort of their home kitchens, bringing not only their enthusiasm and gusto for food, but an array of unique and local produce that judges David Higgs and J’Something are excited to be tasting and exploring as they travel around our beautiful country.

The best teams from the “Instant Restaurant” Rounds will move forward to the My Kitchen Rules SA final rounds in which they will compete in – amongst other locations – a custom-designed restaurant space. The top two teams will battle it out as they each serve up their best three course meal to a full restaurant.

The Judges.

The My Kitchen Rules Judges, J’Something and David Higgs are two highly respected, talented and successful restauranteurs and chefs who are passionate about food and about home cooks. With a palate for fine food, they will be critiquing every dish served up with a view to helping each team improve their skills.

“This competition is about team work for me,” says the owner of Marble Restaurant, Chef David Higgs. “When one team member is down, it is up to the other one to pick up the pieces and vice versa – That is essentially what a kitchen is all about. And, obviously, these contestants need to be able to put good plates of food together – consistently. It is going to be fun to watch, so fasten your seatbelts.”

Fellow judge, award-winning lead singer of South African super group, Mi Casa and restauranteur J’Something adds: “I have finally found a series that speaks to my heart and who I am: A show about home cooks. That is ultimately who I am too; a Home Cook! I am looking for South Africans who take home cooking and give it a big helping of finesse. People who are passionate about food and people that can simply put love on a plate.

My Kitchen Rules South Africa is a proudly local M-Net Production, and will screen on DStv Channel 101 every Sunday, at 18:00.

Join the conversation, critique and gossips on Social Media:

#MKRSA

@MNET

J’Something:  @jsomethingmusic

David Higgs:  @David_Higgs

Team Liz & Leanne:  @elizma_nass and @Leanne2810

Team Rein & Rowan:  @RowanHoenselaar

Team Bruce & Claudia:  @ClaudiabruceX

Team Kelly & Claire:  @Kelly_Groger

Team Lani & Louzel:  @lanilombard_ and @louzellombard

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