Aprons On! Zola Nene and Fritz Schoon are back for The ‘Taste Master Junior Season 2’!

The Taste Master Junior made its delicious return to screens last night, 7 October 2025, at 7:30 PM on SABC 2 — and what a flavourful premiere it was!

After the huge success of its debut season, the show returned with even more energy, excitement, and kitchen creativity. Over the next 12 weeks, 12 passionate young foodies will face off in a series of tasty challenges, all under the expert guidance of celebrity chef Zola Nene and artisan baker Fritz Schoon. From heartwarming moments to impressive culinary feats, this season promises plenty of fun, inspiration, and food that looks almost too good to eat.

Brought to you by Clover, the show will continue to air every Tuesday at 7:30 PM, with repeat episodes on Wednesdays at 1 PM and Sundays at 4 PM on SABC 2.

Meet Chef Zola Nene

And of course, this wouldn’t be The Taste Master Junior without the incredible Zola Nene. A trained chef, award-winning author, and beloved TV personality, Zola has spent over a decade sharing her passion for food with South Africa. With hit cookbooks like Simply Delicious, Simply Zola, and Simply Seven Colours, plus appearances on shows like Expresso, The Great South African Bake Off, and Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted, Zola brings warmth, creativity, and a deep love for storytelling through food to every episode.

And then we have…Food Visionary Fritz Schoon

Joining Zola on the judging panel was baker, entrepreneur, and food visionary Fritz Schoon, whose passion for honest, wholesome food has inspired a beloved range of eateries and artisanal products under the SCHOON brand.

From his early apprenticeship in Knysna to opening his first bakery in Stellenbosch, Fritz built a name for himself rooted in innovation, quality, and community. After expanding SCHOON into multiple stores and eventually selling the business last year, he relocated to Stilbaai, where he recently opened Pain Africain — a cosy sourdough bakery and café that champions slow, sustainable food.

Together, Zola and Fritz brought the perfect blend of flavour, creativity, and expertise to The Taste Master Junior, inspiring both the young contestants and viewers at home with their deep love for food and storytelling.

With its second season now underway, The Taste Master Junior is already dishing up even more excitement — from unforgettable challenges to heartwarming moments — as South Africa’s youngest culinary stars step up to the plate and show off their incredible skills.

Our Judges speak

When asked about her return to the show, Chef Zola Nene expressed her excitement:

“I am so excited to be back as a judge on The Taste Master Junior. These young contestants remind us that food is about joy, curiosity and sharing, and I cannot wait to encourage them as they find their voices through food,” said Zola.

Making his debut on the judging panel, baker and entrepreneur Fritz Schoon also didn’t miss the chance to share his excitement:

“It is an incredible honour to be part of a platform that inspires young culinary talent. My focus here is not just to judge the final product, but to instil in these juniors the discipline of quality and the courage to find their unique creative voice. The passion they bring to the kitchen today is the foundation of South Africa’s food culture tomorrow,” said Fritz.

And just a little reminder — if you missed the premiere of The Taste Master Junior Season 2 last night, you can still catch all the action with repeat episodes every Wednesday at 1 PM and Sunday at 4 PM on SABC2.

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