MasterChef SA Season 6 to combine originality, vernacular & a garnish of visual appeal

There was a time when watching MasterChef South Africa felt like a lesson in stilted imitation, a series often too embarrassed by its own shadow to compete with the drama of the Australian or British iterations. It was a good show that never quite felt like it was ours.

However, the Season 6 premiere marks a definitive turning point. By leaning into the raw power of the vernacular and the unpolished beauty of local heritage, the series has finally stopped trying to mimic the world and started inviting the world to our table.

As the franchise moves to its new home on e.tv this Sunday, February 22, the consensus among the critics and the creators is unanimous: The "good ship" MasterChef SA has finally been righted.

At an exclusive media screening last week, the air was thick with more than just the aroma of Myles Heneke’s salmon blinis; there was a palpable sense of relief. As veteran critic Tony Jackman noted, the show has finally come of age, shedding the stilted, rehearsed feel of previous years for something expansive, cinematic, and deeply South African.

LEGACY IN THE KITCHEN: CANDICE’S BITTERSWEET JOURNEY

The emotional heartbeat of the season is undeniably Candice Meth, a healthcare risk management team leader from Durban. For Candice, the MasterChef kitchen is hallowed ground. Her mother was a contestant in a previous season and has since passed away, leaving Candice to carry the torch that was lit years ago.

"I want to honour her food legacy," Candice shared.

Every dish she plates is a tribute to a talent nurtured by her mother.

It is this "human core" that judge Zola Nene says defines the season.

"Somebody out there is going to resonate with the story you tell," Nene said. "As long as you continue to do that, you’ve already won."

• Myles Heneke (35, Cape Town): A cultural producer who worked under Karen Dudley. He blends Cape Malay heritage with an experimental, modern edge.
• Lesego Motshana (24, Joburg): A former beauty pageant contestant who brings "Seven Colours" to the global stage.
• Suhael Raghunath (28, Durban): A martial artist who treats seafood with the precision of a karate kata.
• Josh Lotz (25, Pretoria): A model who cooks to opera and specializes in bold, unusual flavor pairings.

1. The "Ugly-Delicious" Trend: Judge Katlego is ditching the foams and tweezers. This season celebrates hearty, honest food that gives you that "nod" of authentic satisfaction.
2. Expansive Storytelling: The "tightly cropped" stiltedness is gone. Expect wide, cinematic shots and deep-dive personal stories that make you care about the cook as much as the food.

1. A KZN Takeover: While previous seasons were Cape-heavy, the largest source of contestants this year is KwaZulu-Natal, bringing a fresh, spicy perspective to the pantry.
2. Mentorship over Malice: The judges, Zola, Katlego, and Justine Drake, have moved from being critics to mentors, focusing on "edutainment" for the viewers at home.
3. The Virtual World Tour: Keep an eye out for the tasting segments, the high-tech backdrops are so seamless you’ll forget they never left the studio.

Watch the premiere of MasterChef South Africa Season 6 on Sunday, 22 February 2026, at 18:00 on e.tv.