Chef Kamini’s a Master at roti and veg

KAMINI Pather grew up with a large extended family who had lunch together every Sunday.

From a young age she was of the opinion that food and the people one cared about went hand in hand.

But it was only by the age of 19 that she really started cooking.

Today the 30-year-old freelance writer, self-taught food stylist, photographer and radio host on 2 Oceans Vibe Radio in Cape Town is a finalist on Masterchef SA.

“I had always felt creative but did not have an outlet for that energy. I was rather unhappy with what I was studying at university because it did not allow for my creative side to shine.

“My journey into cooking started with me preparing eggs for breakfast. I started experimenting with what happened to the eggs when I added milk or cream or what happened when I cooked them on higher heat or for a longer time.

“Once I perfected making eggs it was then all about how I would dress the plate. Did Rosa tomatoes look better halved or quartered? Did chives add to the experience? There was a lot of playing around at that stage. Once I mastered breakfast I would Google more intricate recipes to test out my new-found obsession. I was hooked.”

Pather grew up in Glenwood and matriculated at Durban Girls’ College.

She studied towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree in marketing and management at the University of KwaZulu-Natal followed by a diploma in copy writing at the Red and Yellow School of Advertising in Cape Town.

She is now based in the Mother City.

Pather has had a food related blog (www.kamini.co.za) for several years but decided it was time to take her talent to another level.

“For a long time I have felt that while I could write and photograph food, I was never really involved in the process of making it. I wanted to prove that I could actually cook and MasterChef seemed like the perfect challenge.”

She is currently pitting her culinary strength against 14 finalists.

So, what makes her stand out from the rest?

“As a self-taught food stylist, I have dedicated time and resources to being knowledgeable about plating. I have read countless food magazines with a keen eye for design on a plate. As a food writer and restaurant reviewer, my world is immersed in food. I am able to view flavour combinations with a critical eye and a practised palate. I believe that these traits sets me apart from the rest.”

The qualified yoga instructor said being Indian meant she could cook almost any curry as long as she had her grandmother’s masala.

“Growing up, my mother would make vegetable curries with roti every Monday, something I still do. The problem is that when the craving hits I want that exact meal. So, even if I am only cooking for myself, I will make sugar beans, potato curry and a sweeter vegetable, like green beans or cabbage. It's one of my favourite meals.” Her chances of winning? “At this stage it is anyone’s prize to take.”

Masterchef SA is screened on MNet on Tuesday and Wednesdays at 7.30pm.