In a spectacular finale that left the nation in awe, 20-year-old Bridget Mangwandi from Bloemfontein etched her name in history as the youngest winner and the first black woman to claim the coveted MasterChef South Africa season 5 title.
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In an exclusive chat with Independent Media Lifestyle, Mangwandi reflected on her motivations for joining the competition.
“I wanted to challenge myself with something new for the year,” she shared, explaining how her previous catering work had grown repetitive. Looking for excitement and growth, she decided to take a leap of faith by entering MasterChef South Africa despite previous competition setbacks.
The finale demanded a two-course meal worth a million rand, celebrating African culinary excellence. Mangwandi’s dishes did just that, combining technical precision with a heartfelt homage to her roots.
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For her main course, she reimagined her mother’s beloved apricot chicken dish, substituting Kingklip for a contemporary twist. Her plate featured apricot-glazed kingklip atop kale risotto, accompanied by cauliflower purée, coconut cream, and a sprinkle of chives.
Her dessert, however, stole the spotlight: a show-stopping creation of Italian meringue encasing choux pastry within a shortcrust shell, filled with Amarula. The judges praised her aesthetic brilliance, but it was the unforgettable taste of her kingklip that secured her victory.
Mangwandi opened up about the pressure-cooker environment of the MasterChef kitchen. She admitted the intensity was a shock compared to her usual kitchen setting.
Looking ahead, Mangwandi envisions a future filled with possibilities. She dreams of launching her own cooking show and a product line, bringing her love for diverse cultures and flavours into homes across South Africa.
“Being crowned the winner of season 5 is beyond anything I could have imagined. It’s a dream I’m honoured to live, and I carry the responsibility of representing something bigger than myself,” she concluded.
Bridget Mangwandi is proof that bold dreams, hard work, and a touch of creativity can lead to extraordinary success.
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Featured Image: Instagram | @bei.szn
