The Ultimate Braai Master is a South African reality competition television series which features teams of two contestants each (consisting of a Braai Master and a Braai Buddy) in a gruelling culinary adventure spanning thousands of kilometres as they compete for prizes and the title of South Africa's Ultimate Braai Master.
Earning the "Ultimate Braai Master" title is no picnic.
Teams have to sign up for a 52-day road trip, during which time they are expected to occasionally catch their own food, source their ingredients under the toughest conditions and cook to a standard of culinary excellence that shatters the stereotype on the kinds of meals that can be produced on an open fire.
Teams who can't stand the heat will face elimination, which could see their dreams quickly turning to ashes if their road trip comes to a premature end.
The Host
Justin Bonello (Seasons 1-7)
Cook, traveler and lover of life, Justin Bonello is a veteran presenter and producer, as well as founder of one of South Africa's leading film production companies, Cooked in Africa Films.
Justin has combined his three favourite things – Southern Africa, food and friends – into his daily work.
Tapfuma Makina (Season 8-)
Zimbabwean-born Tapfuma Makina is known as a sports host and presenter and has hosted shows on HeartFM, Top Billing and eNCA.
A Rhodes University alum, Tapfuma's plans to continue on and study medicine after completing his BSc in Biochemistry and Microbiology changed direction after becoming a presenter on campus radio.
He has since hosted premieres and awards across sports, enterprise and entertainment.
The Judges
Bertus Basson (Seasons 1-4)
Bertus started cooking at the age of 17, spent three years in London where he worked at the Michelin restaurant, Chez Bruce, in Wandsworth. He describes his work at this restaurant as the moment that changed his life because this is where he honed in on his culinary skills. He believes the experience provided him with real-life training that couldn't be learned in a college.
On his return to South Africa he opened a few restaurants, a vending business, makes wine and is involved with several good causes in the Stellenbosch area. He was named the Game Changer by Men's Health magazine on February 2014.
Petrus Madutlela (Seasons 1-4)
Petrus Madutlela (31) was born in Motholung just outside Brits, North West Province and started out as a general worker at a local club. The Head Chef noticed his enthusiastic personality and gave him an opportunity to create top-class food across the world.
The scholarship recipient has represented South Africa on many occasions and has worked for varied establishments such as Le Quartier Francais, Avianto, Sun International and the Aqua Restaurant at the Sibaya Casino.
Pete Goffe-Wood (Season 5-)
Celebrity chef Pete Goffe-Wood made his mark on the Cape Town food scene back in the early '90s when fusion food was still a novelty in South Africa.
His bold and brave Asian-European- and African-inspired combo creations raised local food eyebrows.
Benny Masekwameng (Season 5-)
Celebrity chef Benny was born and bred in Alexander in Johannesburg.
He graduated from what is now the Durban University of Technology with a diploma in catering management, and thereafter commenced his culinary journey, which would see him become executive chef at the then Mondo Vino restaurant at Montecasino in Fourways, Johannesburg.
He was also the Executive Chef at Tsogo Sun.
Winners
Season 1: Who Dares, Wins (Laertes Melidonis and Elaine Ensor-Smith)
Season 2: Good Better Braai (Jacques Bester and Nadia Botha)
Season 3: Tikka Boys (Mohamed Yusuf Sujee and Stephen Mandes)
Season 4: Weskus Annas (John Grundlingh and Julian Mori)
Season 5: Salty Flames (Chanel Marais and Nick Perfect)
Season 6: The Brafia (Corné Bornman and Kagiso Mpinda)
Season 7: Iron Tummies (Taahir and Yash)
Season 8: Braai Bokke (Marnes van der Westhuyzen and Jean Coetzee)
Broadcast Notes
The series premiered on SABC3 on Thursday 13 September 2012, at 20h00. After two seasons it moved to new broadcaster e.tv, in September 2014.