Season 2
The Season 2 winners were Good Better Braai.
Bush Cook Guru and host, Justin Bonello, along with Judges and Executive Chefs Bertus Basson and Marthinus Ferreira, is back in South Africa's toughest outdoor cooking competition, and this year the stakes are even higher.
Season 2's top 15 teams travel to the heart of Zululand, where the competition begins. From here and for 60 days contestants have to travel to 13 off-the-beaten track locations covering 8,000kms of backroads to the most unexplored nooks and crannies all across South Africa in a braai-inspired road trip that will change one team's life forever.
But this year's competition is fierce and before the hopeful braai masters can get their braai-singed fingers on the money, the Renault Koloes 4x4 and the title, they have to survive what Justin, Bertus and Marthinus have in store for them... but it's not going to be easy.
Teams who can't stand the heat will face elimination, which could see their dreams quickly turning to ashes if their road trip comes to a premature end.
In the Season 2 premiere: after surviving the gruelling audition rounds against thousands of Braai Master wannabe's South Africa's top 15 teams' travel to the Hilltop Resort in the Hluhluwe Nature Reserve in Zululand - the first of 13 off-the-beaten-track locations.
Against this magnificent backdrop and after a sumptuous welcome dinner prepared by judges Bertus Basson and Marthinus Ferreira, teams are forced to cross tongs in their bid to secure a place in the competition that will ultimately see them get their braai-singed fingers on the title, the cash and a brand new Renault Koleos 4x4.
During the first challenge, contestants realise that it's going to take teamwork, outdoor kitchen smarts and fireside skills to impress the judges and become eligible to take the 2013 Ultimate Braai Master title.
With only little over an hour to prove their mettle some contestants' confidence starts flagging, leaving three teams to battle it out in a tough elimination challenge the next day.
The weakest team is sent home with their dream in tatters.
The Teams
Team Berry Bright Food Fanatics
Braai Master: Nicole Buirman (26) – Business Owner from Robertson, WC
Braai Buddy: Suzanne Nel (57) – Coffee Shop Owner from Ashton, WC
Relationship: Mother and Daughter
Team Mantra: One can do lots, but a team can do more!
Tough as nails Karoo farm girls Suzanne and Nicole say there's nothing Ultimate Braai Master can throw at them that will actually scare them. (Challenge accepted!) They do, however, admit that they have one very real phobia: getting voted out first!
After Nicole convinced her mom to enter, Suzanne soon realised that this could very well be the challenge of a lifetime, and if they win they'll take their entire family on a road trip.
They hope to travel to St Francis Bay, the Blyde River Canyon and the Kruger National Park during the competition and are really excited to see all the new places, meet new people and spend some time with the UBM crew.
Team Boerie Brothers
Braai Master: Collin Du Plessis (47) – Guesthouse Owner from McGregor, WC
Braai Buddy: Matt Bronkhorst (41) – Guesthouse Owner from McGregor, WC
Relationship: Life Partners
Team Mantra: Life isn't about how you survive the storm...it's about how you dance in the rain!
Life partners Collin and Matt entered Ultimate Braai Master for a chance to see the country and hope to discover Arniston, Soweto and Darling.
They seem to be genuinely nice guys and refuse to divulge who they think the weakest competitor is and wish all the teams well...but you never know, they might just change their minds when the heat is on! (All is fair in love and war after all!)
If they win they want to use some of the money to open a cooking school in a township near their hometown, and then they'll go on an extended holiday.
Team Coal Play
Braai Master: Kate George (34) – Caterer from Cape Town, WC
Braai Buddy: Jonno Proudfoot (28) – Food Consultant from Cape Town, WC
Relationship: Dating
Team Mantra: We rock the braai!
Coal Play entered Ultimate Braai Master for a chance to escape the corporate food world and to go on an amazing road trip! Kate and Jonno never expected to get into the show and just took it one day at a time.
Even though they are in the competition to win, they say they'll be thankful for every kilometre they get to travel, especially if it's to God's Window or the Kalahari.
The thing that scares them the most about UBM is not getting their fires lit properly...and blunt knives. If they win, Jonno wants to make an honest woman out of Kate and put a ring on her finger.
Team Kasi Guys
Braai Master: Martin Sebelebele (46) – Catering Industry, from GaRankuwa, Gauteng
Braai Buddy: Ziza Masemola (24) – Catering Industry, from GaRankuwa, Gauteng
Relationship: Nephews
Team Mantra: Culinary with a Kasi Twist!
Martin and Ziza believed, without a doubt, that they would make it onto the show, but when it comes to winning the actual title, they admit that Mojo might be in there with a chance (that is, if they don't do it themselves of course).
The only thing that scares them about going on the road trip is the unexpected. (So it's a good thing they'll know exactly where they're going and what to expect. Oh, wait. Whoops!) They're excited to meet new people, networking and learning new cooking and life skills.
The duo hope to show off their culinary know-how to South Africa and if they win they would like to open a cooking school on a farm. Sounds good!
Team Good Better Braai
Braai Master: Jacques Bester (32) – Hardware Shop Owner from Port Nolloth, NC
Braai Buddy: Nadia Botha (25) – Guesthouse Manager from Windhoek, Namibia
Relationship: Dating Long Distance
Team Mantra: If you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong!
Long distance sweethearts Jacques and Nadia suspect that the West Coast Bro's are this year's strongest contenders, but at the same time they believe that they will be this year's winners (so much so that Jacques has even offered to give us his banking details so that UBM can deposit the cash into his account already...cheeky!)
The only one with a phobia in the team is Nadia – she doesn't like being in confined spaces...so it's a good thing they're going to be in the great outdoors!
The couple hopes to see the Kruger National Park, Transkei and Northern Natal on their travels (sounds really romantic!) and if they win Jacques wants to launch a top-secret business in Cape Town.
Team Huiskombuis Boys
Braai Master: Kyle Hodgson (25) – Waiter from Cape Town, WC
Braai Buddy: Rudy Gibbons (30) – Waiter from Cape Town, WC
Relationship: Friends
Team Mantra: It's a good day for a braai, huh...
While Kyle is scared of snakes and spiders, Rudy is scared of riding a bike – it's a bit weird, but definitely good that they'll be travelling in a car then!
Huiskombuis aims to stay in the competition for as long as possible and to thoroughly enjoy the ride while they're at it. (That's the spirit!)
Kyle and Rudy readily admit that the teams from Season 1 left them with very big shoes to fill, but say they have a couple of tricks up their sleeves to help them out.
If they win, they would like to get a mobile kitchen on the road, travel the country and give local cuisine the Huiskombuis twist.
Team Mojo
Braai Master: Ashok Naidoo (38) - Portfolio Manager from Johannesburg, Gauteng
Braai Buddy: Jolene Arries Naidoo (37) – Stay at Home Mom from Johannesburg, Gauteng
Relationship: Married
Team Mantra: Live like there's no tomorrow!
Ashok and Jolene say they knew they would make it into the competition the minute they were invited to audition and like every other team, believe they are this year's winners.
While Ahsok has a phobia of snakes and the deep blue sea makes Jolene shake in her boots, the one thing that scares both of them is leaving their kids and 6-week baby behind for such a long time.
Some of the challenges they expect on the road include catching and cooking their own fish, creating a dish using ostrich eggs and making a fire without a lighter or matches.
If they manage to get their hands on the prize, the couple want to start their own catering business.
Team Quince Cooks
Braai Master: Quenten Alberts (46) – Commercial Fisherman from Cape Town, WC
Braai Buddy: Sandy Alberts aged 47 – Caterer from Cape Town, WC
Relationship: Married
Team Mantra: Love what you do, do what you love!
With a dream of opening a Seafood Deli in their neighbourhood, Quenten and Sandra have their eyes set firmly on the cash prize, but also look forward to just spending some time together in the great outdoors and exploring South Africa.
While they see themselves as the team to beat, they both agree that West Coast Bro's and Huiskombuis are very strong competition.
Quenten's only phobia is heights while Sandra is scared of swimming and snakes (so we guess swimming with snakes is out of the question!) They hope to explore Durban, the Kruger National Park and Wild Coast on their travels.
Team Smoke, Sweat & Tears
Braai Master: Chris Kastern (34) – Marine Conservationist from Fish Hoek, WC
Braai Buddy: Simon Good (33) – Engineering Recruitment from Cape Town, WC
Relationship: Old School Friends
Team Mantra: NEVER listen to Simon!
Old high school buddies Chris and Simon hope to see the Transkei, Karoo and Natal Midlands while on the road and their biggest fear is wet wood and going home. No, not because they don't want to go home...they just don't want to lose. (See how we just covered for you there guys? You're welcome.)
Chris says now that Simon has learned to chop an onion; he believes they have a chance to actually make it into the top three (harsh!).
If they make it through to the finals and walk away with the cash, they want to travel the country and braai with a bunch of their friends along the way (kind of like what they're about to do, without cameras in their faces 24/7!) We can't argue with that!
Team Sumting Fresh
Braai Master: Andrew Leeuw (30), Chef & Business Owner from Ennerdale, Gauteng
Braai Buddy: Nomthandazo Sithole (29), Business Administrator from Ennerdale, Gauteng
Relationship: Close Family Friends
Team Mantra: What can be fresher?!
Here's another team that say they knew, without a shadow of a doubt that they would make it onto the show (and you've got to love that kind of confidence!)
Andrew and Nomthandazo were big fans of Coal Shoulder in Season 1 and just like their favourite team; they hope to make it to the final.
Their travel bucket list includes Knysna, East London and the Drakensberg and they look forward to creating lifetime memories, taking the moola and driving away in a shiny new car!
If they win, Andrew wants to use some of the cash to travel to Spain to watch the Barcelona football team live in action (and, yes, we would love an invitation to go too!)
Team Spectacular
Braai Master: Nonkululeko Zondo (29) – Coffee Shop Owner from JHB, Gauteng
Braai Buddy: Lebo Thebe (28) – Owns a Tshisa Nyama joint in JHB, Gauteng
Relationship: Friends
Team Mantra: Cook with soul, love what you do and have fun doing it, then the rewards will follow!
Don't let their sparkly tiaras fool you! These two sizzling princesses were tough enough to make it into season 2!
Nono and Lebo remember the auditions as a daunting experience because they didn't have much to show, but the other contestants' displays and impressive braai stands didn't stop them from doing their best and they soldiered on, concentrating on the quality and taste of their food instead.
The girls believe they are the underdogs of the group and as budding businesswomen they think Ultimate Braai Master is a great way to get exposure and hope that it will help them create their own brand.
More importantly, they want to show South Africans that it can still be fun to do what you love.
Team The Braaight Brothers
Braai Master: Tomas Cunnama (31) – Runs a coffee shop in Fish Hoek, WC
Braai Buddy: Daniel Cunnama (28) – Currently doing his PHD in Astrophysics in Cape Town, WC
Relationship: Brothers
Team Mantra: Why fly, when you can braai?
Brothers Tomas and Daniel decided that Ultimate Braai Master was a once in a lifetime opportunity, so naturally they gave it their absolute best at the auditions, and it paid off.
They think their biggest competition in the show will be the boys from Huiskombuis and they look forward to meeting them in the braai battlefield. (But with fires blazing, we hope!)
Their biggest fear is being away from their loved ones and not being able to talk to them about the challenges they face. Guess they'll have to rely on some serious brotherly love and bonding!
If they win, they want to open their own beer brewery and pub in Cape Town.
Team West Coast Bros
Braai Master: Etienne Gersbach (28) – Commercial diver from Elands Bay, WC
Braai Buddy: Hein Gersbach (30) - Businessman from Elands Bay, WC
Relationship: Brothers
Team Mantra: Food, we love you long-time!
Etienne and Hein are big Justin Bonello fans, so entering Ultimate Braai Master was a no-brainer. They think there are at least five very strong teams, but they're putting their money on Quince Cooks after sussing out their work at the auditions. (That is, if they don't knock them out of the competition first!)
In all seriousness though, the thing West Coast Bro's are most aware of is the fact that all the teams are excellent (aren't they nice?) and that the dynamics of the game can change in a heartbeat.
If they manage to get their "braai-singed fingers" on the cash, they want to buy a restaurant in Langebaan.
Team Ying Yang
Braai Master: Shaun Cavanagh, (34) – programmer from Pretoria, Gauteng
Braai Buddy: Samantha van Niekerk (26) – receptionist from Pretoria, Gauteng
Relationship: Engaged
Team Mantra: Embrace like a baby!
Last year the couple entered Ultimate Braai Master, made it into the second challenge, but say the "wheels fell off" on that day. (We suspect that's code for "hangover").
Their advice to UBM hopefuls that didn't make it in this year? "A little hard work and perseverance will pay off – never give up!"
Shaun and Samantha are eyeballing Coal Play as their stiffest competition, and somehow in their UBM fantasy the two lovebirds will be slurping on oysters while watching the sun set in Knysna during the road trip. (Who said competing in South Africa's toughest outdoor kitchen couldn't be romantic?)
Shaun says his only phobia is having to use the Lava Tree a.k.a nature's loo (must be a Pretoria thing) while Sam is terrified of 'goggas'...and Shaun getting grumpy.
If they win, Shaun believes it'll allow him to follow something that he loves and is good at!
WILD CARD ENTRY
Team Darkies Unleashed
Braai Master: Thabiso Motloung (34) - Internal Auditor from Katlehong, Gauteng
Braai Buddy: Motebejane Mofokeng (36) - BMW Financial Services from Katlehong, Gauteng
Relationship: friends from university.
Team Mantra: When was the last time you did something for the first time?
Wild Card competitors' Thabiso and Motebejane' s favourite team from last year is Gal Power (of course!) and they believe they will make it all the way to the finals (but that's a pretty universal statement from all the teams, so only time will tell!)
Darkies Unleashed think that Kasi Guys are their toughest competition and definitely a team to keep an eye on.
The thing that scares them the most about the road trip is getting a puncture in the middle of nowhere and then having to unpack the car to get to the spare tyre!