Siphokazi puts spice into MasterChef with her hot dishes
THE Mdlankomo family had never enjoyed satellite television in their home before.
But when MasterChef SA contestant Siphokazi Mdlankomo secured a top-10 place in the reality cooking competition, she knew her family could not miss out on the action.
“I just recently had DStv installed for my family in the Eastern Cape so they could watch on a Thursday.
“It has been the most incredible experience for my mom and family,” said Mdlankomo.
The domestic worker from Cape Town has been nothing short of a revelation in the third season of Masterchef South Africa. She has secured a place in the top six of the competition and has become a firm fan favourite on the show.
The 39-year-old has also become somewhat of a heroine to domestic workers in South Africa, who have been encouraged by her ambition on the show.
Her normal day used to consist of house chores, but now Mdlankomo’s has been thrust into the limelight and can be seen on TV every Thursday night.
And for her, it is an experience she is cherishing. “It has been very exciting, challenging, funny and nailbiting, but I wouldn’t change it for the world,” said Mdlankomo.
She entered the cook-off after being encouraged by her employers.
“Liz, my employer, has always encouraged me when it came to cooking. Liz’s friends also includes some chefs and I was fortunate to cook for them. After their huge praise and a few more nudges from Liz, I decided to enter Masterchef SA.”
Through the MasterChef competition Mdlankomo has been able to travel overseas for the first time. Together with the rest of the contestants, she went to Mauritius to shoot an episode.
Contestants were challenged to cook a Mauritian-inspired dish and although she had never been to Mauritius before, she walked away the winner. She cooked a Mauritianinspired chicken breyani.
“Oh my word, it was the first time I had been overseas. What an experience it was.
“My best dish was definitely my breyani in Mauritius. When I started cooking and smelt the aromas from the spices I knew I had a winner.”
Mdlankomo said she fell in love with cooking as a young girl.
“When I first saw my mom cooking scones in a cast-iron pot over a fire as a little girl, I immediately knew this was my passion in life.”
Asked how she felt about being an inspiration to thousands, if not millions of South Africans, Mdlankomo said she felt “humbled”.
“I think it is fantastic that a little girl from the Eastern Cape has been able to influence and inspire so many people. I have been humbled by this incredible journey.”
Mdlankomo said she never imagined getting this far in the show.
“But when I made it out of boot camp I realised I stood a good chance. That said, each week is as much of a surprise for me as it is for all of the remaining contestants.”
“I think they all have a shot at the title. I’m very glad that I’ve made it this far.”
Mdlankomo said she has made some wonderful friends and looks up to the judges.
”All three judges have been incredible, but I have a soft spot for chef Pete Goffe-Wood.”
While she’s not sure what the future will hold for her, Mdlankomo admits to wanting to start her very own restaurant one day.
“Among other things, I would love to open a small bistro-type restaurant serving beautiful comfort food.”
In the meantime, Mdlankomo is using her high-profile position to advocate on behalf of domestic workers around the world.
“People, not only in South Africa but around the world, should start taking domestic workers more seriously. They need to start thinking of domestic work as any other profession,” she said.
“It’s not just cleaning and cooking. There is far more talent among domestic workers.”