Leandri Joubert’s Taste Master Junior journey came to a surprising end this week, thanks to a veggie challenge that had even the most creative young chefs sweating.
The 15-year-old baker had to sneak vegetables into dishes that picky kids would actually love — a task easier said than done.
The episode, which aired on Tuesday, 18 November 2025 on SABC 2, was packed with clever tricks, mouthwatering dishes, and a few kitchen shocks. Guest judge and celeb restaurateur Yolani Abrahams showed the contestants how it’s done, whipping up a butternut, caramelised onion, and garlic ravioli smothered in rich veggie pasta sauce.
Despite Leandri’s best efforts, the challenge proved too tough, giving fans an emotional farewell to a young chef whose creativity and determination had kept everyone watching.
What really went wrong?
For the main challenge, Leandri went all out with an ambitious concept: a butternut waffle topped with savory mince and a rich vegetable sauce. While the judges loved the flavour combination, they pointed out that this had been a tricky week for her, and some key elements didn’t quite make it onto her final plate — ultimately leading to her exit from the competition.
Even with the elimination, Leandri leaves The Taste Master Junior with her head held high, taking home new skills, lifelong friendships, and memories that will stick with her far beyond the kitchen.
Q&A with Leandri
As Leandri bids farewell to the competition, she gets candid about her experience on The Taste Master Junior. Here’s a glimpse into her Q&A session with the show:
1. 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,” said Leandri.
2. 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,” said Leandri.
3. 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,” said Leandri.
4. 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,” said Leandri.
5. 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,” said Leandri.
6. What dish from the competition best shows how far you have 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,” said Leandri.
Leandri, a Grade 10 student from Pretoria, dreams of pursuing culinary arts and one day running her very own café. From humble beginnings with two-minute noodles, she has blossomed into a confident young chef who loves whipping up pasta dishes and baked treats that light up the faces of her family and friends.
When, where, and how to watch the culinary fun
Catch new episodes of The Taste Master Junior Season 2, proudly brought to you by Clover, every Tuesday at 7:30 pm on SABC2, with repeats on Wednesdays at 1 pm and Sundays at 4 pm.
For all the latest updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and more, visit www.thetastemaster.co.za and follow The Taste Master SA on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X.
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