Bakers have got braaiing skills

Durban siblings are favourites for this year’s grand prize. Lutho Pasiya spoke to Tersia, one half of Team Muttonheads

SOUTH Africa is the braai capital of the world and it’s no surprise that there is a show to put our skills of cooking on an open fire to the test. Now in its fifth season (with casting for the upcoming sixth season under way), the show has been steadily improving, with contestants preparing some impressive food. The Ultimate Braai Master was created and is hosted by Justin Bonello. Each team on the show has two members, a braai buddy and the braai master, and together they must come up with dishes that impress the judges and viewers.

Siblings Tersia and Tarlan Baker are up there with the best in the show’s history. They are the favourites to win this season.

Tersia, 29, and Tarlan, 26, grew up in Sydenham, Durban. Team Muttonheads – the name they are known by in the competition – will be competing against two teams in today’s finale on e.tv at 4pm.

Tersia’s love for cooking began at a young age while she was still living with her family before moving to Johannesburg.

“Our family is big on food, my grandmother and mother are both amazing cooks. Being coloured gives you the advantage of being exposed to different cultures. My grandmothers are of Portuguese and Indian heritage, my aunts are Cape Malayan and just being a Durbanite has certainly influenced my style of cooking. I suppose the fact that I love food and am constantly eating also moulded my love for cooking,” she said.

This season saw contestants exploring methods of surviving and of consuming food prepared entirely on the fire. Tersia said being on the Ultimate Braai Master was nothing like she expected.

“Being in this competition is one of the best things I have done in my life. When the producers tell you that you will be tested to your physical, mental and emotional limit, they are not lying. I never knew South Africa was so beautiful. I have seen so many beautiful places, which are just indescribable,” she said.

“I never expected us to get so far. We came into the show determined to not be the first sent home, then we found ourselves in the final. What a journey and what an outcome! I am thrilled.”

The Bakers love braaied lamb