Fortune adds some Nam Flavour to ‘MasterChef South Africa’

NOT only has Fortune Kangueehi made it to the Top 18 in ‘MasterChef South Africa’, she’s also the only Namibian to have made her mark at this level of the exclusive amateur cooking competition and reality television show.

The 37-year-old Account Manager at Advantage Y&R flew to Cape Town in early December last year to audition for the show and since then has moved on from round to round, cooking up a storm and beating out some of the best amateur cooks to be found in our neighbours to the south.The Weekender chats to this home-grown foodie about her MasterChef SA experience…
Tell us about deciding to audition for ‘MasterChef SA’?I have watched almost every single episode of ‘Masterchef ‘, from the British to the Australian one. The winner of season one of the Australian season, Julie was such an inspiration to me. She was just a simple home cook who had an immense passion for food, much like myself, and she ended up winning the show! You cannot imagine my excitement when I found out the show was coming to South Africa. Nothing was going to stop me from auditioning, so two weeks after filling out the pre-registration form IwasonaplanetoCape Town. Thanks to my boss who sponsored my return ticket.I was petrified but also confident in my dish – chicken liver parfait served with figpreserve, which was quite delicious. I didn’t know what to expect so I figured I’ll save the nerves until I got there and saw what I was up against.My confidence vanished the next morning when I was standing in the queue clutching my cool box and listening to some of the other dishes, like yellow fin tuna carpaccio served with lotus flower, cucumber mousse and a whole lot of other things I can’t even remember.I decided that I’d let the judges decide and one tasting test and three interviews later I was still in the running. I was elated!
Tell us how and when your love for cooking started?I have always loved cooking and cooked a lot at home but like any other average Namibian home cook, we were ‘rys, vleis en aartappels’ people. My real passion for food started when I met my husband, Giorgio and found that there are things other than T-bone steak, ribs and chicken to order from a restaurant menu. No seriously, the way I though about food completely changed, I started watching cooking shows and buying cookbooks and magazines and trying different recipes and cuisines and I haven’t stopped since.The deal was sealed after my first trip to Italy on our honeymoon. I have never seen people who are so passionate about food and truly enjoy preparing and eating it. I learned a lot from watching Giorgio’s family and friends cook and eat together. Needless to say I picked up six kilos in three weeks! I am happiest in my kitchen with ingredients, a glass of wine and music in the background and I love seeing people enjoy my food.
Describe your reaction and that of your friends and family on making it through the first round?Making it through the first round was surreal and it took a while to sink in. I had the distinct feeling that this wasn’t theendofitandIwas very excited. Everyone knew that I auditioned and they wanted toknow what happened but I was sworn to secrecy especially saying anything on my social networks. My immediate family was very proud but couldn’t tell anyone.
What happened next?I got an email saying that I made it through to the next round and hadtoflyupforthehot auditions to cook fora space in the Top 50. I made an Asian duck breast with orange- Clementine sauce served with a cucumber relish. Igotayesfromeachof the judges and Andrew even called my Duck ‘Rouge’ which I learned was the culinary term for duck cooked to absolute perfection. I got a MasterChef apron and was in the Top 50. The Namibian girl was one of the top 50 amateur chefs in South Africa. I was absolutely ecstatic!
What has been the highlight and most challenging part of the experience so far?There have been so many highlights but the absolute highlight was receiving the MasterChef apron and making it into the Top 50. The most challenging point has definitely been the egg white whisking, I was 100 per cent sure I wouldn’t make it at one point.
Speaking of the egg whisking exercise, it seemed excruciating when you turned the bowl of whisked egg whites upside down over your head. What went through your head as those egg whites landed on your head?The moment I heard the challenge I knew I would have serious problems and boy did I! My arms were hurting so much, I couldn’t continue so I decided to give it a go. I could hear people screaming ‘hold the bowl upright’ and ‘it’s falling’ but the only thing I was interested in was the numbers coming out of Bennie’s (a judge) mouth and anxiously waiting for 10. I think at the count of nine the eggs dropped on my head, I almost died. I couldn’t believe it was over. Luckily, Bennie told me to keep whisking and somehow I made it. What I didn’t know until I watched the show is how close I was to being out. There were only two spots left when I made it, that was a good thing as I would’ve panicked and probably not made it.
How did it feel to make it to the Top 25? Waiting to find outwho the ten people going home after the potato challenge was, was excruciating. I just wanted it to be over and when I didn’t hear my name and heard Andrew (judge) say Top 25, I let out a sigh of relief. There were a lot of mixed emotions as we saw a lot friends go home and there were a lot tears, so it was difficult to jump up and down in celebration.
Tell us about the judges, who is your favourite and who are you most intimidated by?All three of the judges are really great. My favourite judge is Andrew because I get the feeling that he is always sincere and wants us to do well. It doesn’t matter what he says to you, it is always with a reassuring smile.The judge who intimidates me the most is Bennie because he has the most intense stare, and seems the most critical of my food.
Tell us about your fellow contestants?I have met so many great people and have made so many lifelong friends. I am closest to people like Babalwa, Charles, Sarel, Lungile, Ilse, Lwazi and the list goes on. I was really sad when Luxolo went home just because he was so young and passionate about food and he was kind of the little brother to the group. I was also quite sad that Abby went home because she became a very good friend and really can cook.
What does it take to make it in a competition of this magnitude?Pure guts and the ability to laugh at yourself!How do you feel being the only Namibian to have made it this far?I’m quite honoured and proud. I must say that it also adds to the pressure to perform and make my country proud. Watch ‘MasterChef SA’ every Tuesday at 18h30 on M-Net, DStv Channel 101.Fortune Kangueehi