Nerves, nostalgia and a twist: MasterChef SA sends cooks home in season 6 premiere

The competition is heating up on MasterChef South Africa as the kitchen bids a farewell to two cooks.

The sixth season of the highly anticipated cooking competition kicked off on eTV on Sunday with 20 talented home cooks.

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

The first episode was filled with emotion, nostalgia, and an early twist from the judges as cooks were tasked with creating a dish inspired by their childhood and heritage.

The pressure proved too much for Rejane Gwynne and Chanelle Gale, and they became the first two contestants eliminated from the competition.

Speaking to 702’s Bongani Bingwa, Gwynne said the first cook was the toughest for her due to nerves and uncertainty.

She prepared a pan-fried ribeye with pomme puree and asparagus, but spent too much time in the pantry.

“Those last three minutes were complete chaos, and I literally had to throw stuff on a plate. I am glad there was a plate, because I don’t even remember there was one. I didn't even have time to feel my steak. I just knew I was going home.”

Gale opted for a 'rys, vleis and an aartappel-inspired dish' with wrapped lamb chops and carrot puree.

While she felt she had everything under control, she admitted that her plate was incomplete.

“I think I spent too much time rehashing this in my mind. In those last five minutes, I thought that I had everything under control, [but] in that last minute when they counted down the 10 seconds, it was just panic stations. I was completely gutted.”

Despite their early departure, the pair is still positive about pursuing their food dreams.

For Gale, it is about combining her talents and passions for sales, food and art, while Gwynne would like to work on a healthy-living cookbook.

Catch MasterChef South Africa on Sundays at 6 pm on eTV (Channel 194 on DStv).

To listen to Gale and Gwynne in conversation with 702’s Bongani Bingwa, use the audio player below: