The show is the local version of the world’s biggest television cooking competition.
20 passionate home cooks from across the country cook up a storm to impress three South African MasterChef celebrity judges – hoping to make their culinary dreams come true.
Throughout the season, the contestants participate in exciting yet tough challenges that will test their cooking skills and creativity. However, based on their performance, only one of the cooks stays in the kitchen until the end to become South Africa’s MasterChef.

The three celebrity judges of MasterChef SA are all well-known and respected names in the South African food industry.

The winner of MasterChef South Africa will scoop a cash prize of R1m and the coveted title of MasterChef South Africa.

You need to complete the online application form on our website – masterchefsa.tv. Click on the “Enter” button on the home page, follow the prompts and fill in all the fields. You will also have to supply a picture of yourself as well as a short introductory video.

16 OCTOBER 2025 at 23:59. No late entries will be accepted. 

When choosing contestants for MasterChef SA, the following aspects will be taken into account: culinary skills, enthusiasm, drive, love of food, and a desire to change your life.  The competition is for enthusiastic amateur home cooks and not for qualified chefs. This decision is made by the show’s producers, with the help of culinary experts, and their decision is final.

Yes. Entrants must be 18 years old or older on 3 NOVEMBER 2025

All MasterChef SA contestants must be amateur cooks. If you have obtained a professional culinary qualification or have professional kitchen experience that the producers think could give you an unfair advantage, you will not be allowed to enter.  This is entirely at the producers’ discretion.

Successful contestants must be available to leave their daily commitments to compete for 6 weeks in Cape Town (27 October 2025 to 12 December 2025 – exact dates to be confirmed.)

You can enter if you haven’t worked full-time in a commercial kitchen as a cook, chef or in food preparation.

All MasterChef SA contestants must be amateur cooks. If you have obtained a professional culinary qualification or have professional kitchen experience that the producers think could give you an unfair advantage, you will not be allowed to enter.  This is entirely at the producers’ discretion.

Yes. You must be a South African citizen or have permanent residence status. You must be able to show proof of citizenship or residency in the application process. No exceptions will be made.

You should be someone who cooks a lot and all the time. You should know your way around a kitchen, have some killer recipes, know how to work with food, and have a few culinary tricks up your sleeve. 

• Phase one – Online entry on the MasterChef South Africa website (masterchefsa.tv).
• Phase two – A selected list of candidates will be invited to do Zoom interviews.
• Phase three – A shortlist of entrants will be invited for a live audition in Cape Town at our cost.

Employees of Homebrew Films, Primedia Group or SABC may not enter the show.

Employees of any of the sponsors of the series may not enter.

You’re welcome to enter again if you weren’t one of the 20 finalists.

Yes, given that you disclose all the reality shows in which you have participated.

If you are shortlisted for the show, you also agree to authorise the producers to conduct background checks to verify any of the information supplied. Please note that consenting to these checks is no guarantee of being chosen to participate.

You will only be contacted by the production company for further details should your entry be shortlisted.

Should your entry be successful and shortlisted, the production company will contact you by 13 October 2025.

Multiple entries are not permitted. Entries are only valid if correctly submitted on the entry platform.

Filming will take place from 3 November – 12 December 2025 – final dates will be confirmed is you are shortlisted.

It’s in Cape Town.

You are required to bring your own clothes for the production. Keep in mind you will be wearing a supplied MasterChef apron.

If the producers shortlist you, you must be prepared to undergo psychological and medical screenings. Please note that the full details of this will be explained to you in advance. The producers will however do a background check on all finalists.

You do not have editorial control of the content. The producers’ decision on what to include in the show is final, but we will only ever use material provided to us by the participants.

Yes, you have to participate in every MasterChef South Africa culinary challenge.

No, but a stipend will be issued for time away from home.

The producers will pay for your travel expenses within South Africa, if you are selected as one of the 18 finalists and do not live in Cape Town. During filming, all the finalists will stay at accommodation provided by the producers

Yes, you may but it will be done in cooperation and discussion with producers and to also work for the brand and show.