The exciting final episode of The Taste Master SA Season 6 took place at Owloon Manor near Paarl, ending with a thrilling cooking competition. Lucky Masinya, from Johannesburg, was named the winner after impressing the judges with a warm, festive winter meal. His family-style menu mixed modern rustic flavours with a touch of fine dining.
Lucky, a well-known patisserie lecturer, won the title after a close contest with Chevonne Fourie, who came in as the well-deserving runner-up. The final challenge, judged by celebrity chef and cookbook author Jenny Morris, pushed both contestants to be as creative as possible.
Winter never tasted this good!
In the final ‘Festive in Winter’ challenge, Lucky and Chevonne were asked to create a rich and festive meal that captured the cozy feeling of winter celebrations.
Chevonne impressed with a detailed menu that included a pistachio and naartjie-stuffed leg of lamb, coffee beef wellington, and coffee beef fillet served with seasonal vegetables. Her spread also featured a couscous salad, lemon and green bean salad with guava, roasted carrot and harissa chickpea salad, marinated brinjals, and sweet potato and avocado croquettes with sour cream. For dessert, she made a flavorful orange and ginger malva pudding with orange custard.
Lucky amazed the judges with a delicious mix of sweet and savory dishes. He served roast lamb, stuffed chicken, creamy spicy chicken pasta, roasted baby potatoes, Brussels sprouts, butternut, sautéed cherry tomatoes, and spinach puff pastry tarts. His dessert platter helped seal the win—featuring churros with caramel ganache, lemon curd macarons, and a rich tiramisu.
From dreamer to champion
Hailing from Johannesburg, Lucky Masinya brought his skills as a patisserie lecturer to new heights throughout the season. Celebrated for his ability to blend rustic charm with refined, fine-dining techniques, Lucky consistently wowed the judges with dishes that were both beautifully detailed and deeply comforting. Influenced by renowned chefs like Benoit Blin, his creations stood out for their creativity and heart.
Inspired by former contestants who chased their culinary dreams, Lucky entered Season 6 with a clear goal: to open a world-class patisserie in Johannesburg and shine a global spotlight on South African desserts.
Now crowned champion, Lucky shares how surreal and emotional the moment feels.
“Winning The Taste Master SA is an incredibly overwhelming and emotional moment for me. This competition has been a crucible, pushing my limits and revealing strengths I didn’t know I had. This win is a testament to never stop dreaming. If you put the work in, you can achieve things beyond your wildest dreams.
“I can’t wait to see where this springboard takes me towards my vision of opening a world-class patisserie right here in Johannesburg. Winning The Taste Master SA is only the beginning. This show has given me the confidence and platform to share my passion with the world. I’m ready for the next chapter,” said Lucky.
Praise and congratulations for Lucky’s win
Taste Master SA judge Zola Nene praised Lucky for his victory, saying he truly earned it.
“Lucky’s win is so well-deserved. His passion, precision, and ability to infuse such artistry into his dishes truly set him apart throughout the season. This has been an absolutely incredible season of The Taste Master SA, filled with immense talent, unexpected twists, and truly inspiring culinary journeys. Congratulations to Lucky! The future of patisserie is bright with him at the helm,” said Zola.
Chevonne, a strong competitor in this season of The Taste Master SA, received great praise for her bold style, technical talent, and constant creativity, earning a well-deserved second place.
“Chevonne has been such a force in this competition, and she’s proven to be one of the most talented and passionate chefs we have seen,” said Zola.
Clover’s Brand Manager, Chipo Kamukwamba, also shared his congratulations, applauding Lucky’s victory.
“As a brand that’s rooted in nourishing families and celebrating creativity in the kitchen, Clover is incredibly proud to support The Taste Master SA. Lucky’s culinary journey has been inspiring to watch. He brings heart, flavour, and finesse to every dish.
“We can’t wait to see how he continues to grow and make magic with Clover products in his corner. We’re proud to be part of a show that empowers rising talent to chase their culinary dreams and inspires South Africans to do the same in their own kitchens,” said Chipo.
Prizes won
While Lucky may have won the title this season, that’s not all he’s taking home. Along with being crowned the Season 6 winner of The Taste Master SA, he also receives R200,000 in cash from Capitec Bank Business Banking, a year’s supply of Clover products to keep creating amazing dishes, and R30,000 from Food Lover’s Market, the category sponsor for fresh produce.
HAVE YOU SEEN: Celebrity Chef Keegan Maistry engineers a menu fit for the harshest of winters