Talented 15-year-old baker Leandri Joubert’s journey on The Taste Master Junior came to an emotional end this week after the young chef faced the tricky task of hiding vegetables in meals that even the fussiest kids would love.
In an episode packed with creativity and clever disguises, the remaining junior chefs were challenged to sneak nutritious veggies into delicious dishes. Guest judge, TV personality and celebrated restauranteur Yolani Abrahams, treated contestants to an inspiring masterclass, demonstrating how to conceal vegetables by preparing a butternut, burned onion and garlic ravioli with a rich vegetable pasta sauce.
For the main challenge, Leandri’s concept was ambitious. She presented the judges with a butternut waffle topped with mince and a rich vegetable sauce. While the flavour of the mince and sauce impressed, the judges noted that Leandri had a bumpy ride this week, and crucial elements didn’t make it onto her final plate, ultimately leading to her elimination.
Despite the elimination, Leandri leaves the competition with her head held high and a host of new skills, lifelong friends and unforgettable memories. As Leandri exits the competition, she opens up about her journey on The Taste Master Junior:
This week’s challenge was all about hiding veggies in kid-friendly meals. What was your first reaction when you heard the brief, and did you feel confident going into it?
My first reaction to the brief was that it was going to be easy because my brother is a picky eater, and when making food in our house, you need to be sneaky with the vegetables.
You presented the judges with a butternut waffle topped with mince and a vegetable sauce. What inspired that idea, and what did you love most about the dish?
I was inspired by one of the breakfasts that I had on a previous occasion, a waffle topped with salty toppings. What I loved most about the dish is the mince and vegetable sauce; it was really tasty and delicious.
This week was certainly a tough one, ending your journey on The Taste Master Junior. How are you feeling now that the dust has settled?
I feel sad that my journey had to end that quickly because of a few ingredients that didn’t make it onto my plate, but I’m so proud of myself for even being able to come this far.
Yolani Abrahams’ masterclass was a big highlight in the episode. What was the biggest lesson you took from watching her create that butternut, burned onion, and garlic ravioli?
The biggest lesson I learned was how to make ravioli. I have never made any pasta before, so it was interesting to learn how to do it.
What was the most exciting part of competing on The Taste Master Junior, and what was the most challenging?
The most exciting part of competing is all the new friends I have gained who also share my passion for food and also the fact that you can win R200,000 from Capitec.
What dish from the competition best shows how far you’ve come as a young chef?
I think my blue cheese and creamy steak pie definitely shows how far I have come. The bold flavour and the fact that I executed it well.”
Leandri, a Grade 10 learner from Pretoria, dreams of studying culinary arts and one day opening her own café. Starting with simple two-minute noodles, she has grown into a confident young chef who loves creating pasta dishes and baked treats that bring smiles to her loved ones’ faces.
Watch new episodes of The Taste Master Junior Season 2, brought to you by Clover, every Tuesday at 7:30pm on SABC2, with repeats every Wednesday at 1pm and Sunday at 4pm.
