Central SA
Kimberley home cook brings MasterChef crown to Northern Cape─── ZENANDE MPAME 15:16 Tue, 18 Aug 2026
The Northern Cape is celebrating a landmark moment in its culinary history. One of its own has risen from a Kimberley kitchen to claim South Africa’s most desired home-cooking title.
Andrew Benjamin’s MasterChef South Africa victory shined a spotlight on the province’s diverse flavours, food traditions, and emerging culinary talent. He was crowned MasterChef South Africa season 6 winner on Sunday (16/8).
The Kimberley home cook defeated Durban’s Candice Meth in a tense finale to claim the wanted MasterChef South Africa title and R1m in prize money. His victory also makes him the first winner from the Northern Cape, placing the province firmly on South Africa’s culinary map.
Benjamin said winning the competition was an opportunity to showcase the province’s talent and inspire others to pursue their dreams. He wants to use his platform to promote Northern Cape food, tourism and local producers.
For the past two years, he has hosted small pop-ups in partnership with the McGregor Museum and hopes to continue developing these initiatives.
“This has been nothing but amazing, to represent Kimberley and the Northern Cape, just to showcase the people and that our culinary dreams are there. We can cook; we can do certain things in the province.
“I don’t think there’s a word to describe how thankful I am for the opportunity that I was given to enter this competition.
“With the prize money, I will renovate my kitchen, just like how I promised my wife on national television. I will also buy new utensils and spoil the family, treat them to a small holiday. They deserve it, as they have supported my journey.”
Benjamin’s journey began with 19 other passionate home cooks, but he quickly established himself as a serious contender. He went on to secure seven challenge wins before the finale, earning a valuable 10-minute advantage for the final cook.
One of his standout moments came during a two-minute noodle challenge, where he transformed the noodles into Crêpes Suzette Benjette. The inventive dish became one of his favourite achievements of the competition and was particularly admired by judge Chef Katlego Mlambo.
In the final, Benjamin served pan-fried salmon with leeks and white wine sauce, followed by pork belly with fennel and apple purée, mushy peas, and red wine jus. His dessert featured meringue, vanilla sponge cake, raspberry coulis, chocolate crème pâtissière and vanilla ice cream.
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