It was crunch time in the Taste Master Junior kitchen this week as the bottom six contestants faced their toughest challenge yet — a high-stakes elimination round that pushed their pastry skills to the limit.
Tuesday night’s episode which aired on 11 November 2025, 19:30 on SABC2 dished up the “Garage Pie” challenge, where the young chefs had to create the ultimate flaky, handheld savoury pie worthy of South Africa’s grab-and-go culture.
Guest judge and content creator Nicholas Fraser brought extra flavour to the mix, sharing his tips on crafting the perfect portable pie. From buttery layers to bold fillings, precision was everything as the juniors battled it out for a spot in the next round.
But as always, someone had to hang up their apron. Sadly, Sarah Flowers and Joy Nxumalo’s Taste Master Junior journey came to an end after their “Garage Pies” fell short of the judges’ expectations.
What went wrong?
For Joy, the challenge was all about creating a rich, comforting “Garage Pie,” packed with creamy spinach, mushrooms, cheese, and lamb — a filling meant to balance heartiness with a touch of sophistication. Unfortunately, her pie came out undercooked, costing her valuable points with the judges.
Sarah went bold with a lasagne-inspired twist, layering mince and béchamel sauce into a clever handheld version of the classic dish. While the idea impressed in theory, the judges felt it needed more sauce and layers to truly capture the full lasagne experience.
Despite the setback, both young chefs left the kitchen with their heads held high, taking with them new skills, memories, and lessons to carry forward on their culinary journeys.
After their elimination, we caught up with Sarah and Joy, who shared laughs, reflections, and a few heartfelt moments from their Taste Master Junior adventure and this is how it went:
Q&A with Sarah Flowers
Sarah, you are such a creative person, from painting to cooking! How did your creativity come through in your dishes on The Taste Master Junior?
“I think the pie challenge is definitely my most creative dish that I made on The Taste Master Junior. The pastry challenge is all about precision and patience,”.
What did you enjoy most (or find the hardest) about creating your garage pie?
“My favourite part of the pie challenge was putting all the components together and seeing the final product,”.
You always brought a lot of energy and sparkle to the kitchen. What will you miss most about being part of The Taste Master Junior family?
“What I will miss most about being part of The Taste Master Junior kitchen is definitely being in the kitchen itself and interacting with the other contestants,”.
What’s the biggest lesson you learned about yourself during your time on the show?
“The biggest lesson I learned about myself during my time on the show is that I can do way more than I think,”.
Q&A with Joy Nxumalo
Joy, you mentioned that your love for cooking started with your grandmother and mom. How did their influence help you during your time in The Taste Master Junior kitchen?
“My love for cooking started with my grandma and mom. They taught me traditional South African recipes and cooking techniques. Their influence helped me feel confident in the kitchen on The Taste Master Junior. I could focus on creating delicious dishes for the judges,”.
Looking back on your journey, what dish or moment are you most proud of from your time on the show?
“The dish I’m most proud of is definitely my boerewors dish from Episode 2,”.
The pastry challenge can be tough. What was going through your mind while creating your garage pie?
“I wanted to create a one-of-a-kind signature pie, something that could be a feature at Joy’s restaurant, not just an ordinary pie. My lamb, creamy spinach, and mushroom sauce pie was a great way to elevate a traditional garage pie,”.
What’s one skill or piece of advice you learned from the judges or mentors that you will take with you?
“I learned how to prepare dishes I never imagined I could. Making fudge and wors from scratch was the most fascinating experience. From the judges, I will take all their positive and negative feedback to help me improve as I work towards becoming a chef. Fritz also taught me that cooking isn’t just about following a recipe, it’s about understanding flavours, textures, and presentation,”.
Who will take the crown? Season 2 intensifies
While Sarah and Joy’s Taste Master Junior journey may have ended, their creativity, enthusiasm, and love for food continue to shine. As the competition heats up, the remaining contestants will need to dig deep and bring their A-game if they hope to impress the judges and take home the title of Taste Master Junior Season 2 champion.
Catch all the action on The Taste Master Junior Season 2, brought to you by Clover. New episodes air Tuesdays at 7:30pm on SABC2, with repeats Wednesdays at 1pm and Sundays at 4pm.
For more recipes, behind-the-scenes fun, and updates, visit www.thetastemaster.co.za and follow The Taste Master SA on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X.
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