'Masterchef SA' cookbook a winner

THE first South African MasterChef was such a huge TV hit that its next reality television cookery series has already been filmed and will be screened later this year.

This beautiful cookery book, released just before Christmas, is a delicious appetiser to whet the appetite of fans for that second helping to be served up on the small screen.

MasterChef South Africa – The Cookbook includes the top 18 contestants and takes the reader right up to the finale which saw sweet-natured Deena Naidoo pip Capetonian Sue-Ann Allen and newly wed Manisha Naidu to the title.

The picky judging trio of chefs Pete, Andrew and Benny also feature and although a show like this focuses only on their winners, the book reminds us that 6000 hopefuls auditioned, and only 120 made it through to the first round. The crew who made it into the MasterChef kitchen truly can cook, and most of them have a chance in the book to present a recipe, with a few – such as confectionery king Thys and the capable Samantha – having more than one dish featured.

The top three – Deena, Sue-Ann and Manisha – are featured in a little more depth.

Although many of the recipes are rather "cheffy" for a home cook, viewers will love the way it highlights dishes as well as memorable moments from the show, such as the pressure tests and mystery box challenges.

It is a thoroughly enjoyable cookery book but, having watched the television show, there is one omission: where is Deena's butter chicken recipe that took him through the hot auditions?

Gillian McAinsh