Double elimination shocker as Aphiwe and Kim say goodbye to Taste Master Junior Kitchen

The Taste Master Junior kitchen was filled with emotion this week as the competition's first double elimination saw Aphiwe Sithole and Kimberly Porter bid farewell to the show.

The young cooks were tasked with mastering the art of transforming fresh fruit into something spectacular in the episode themed around jams and preserves.

Before tackling their individual dishes, the contestants attended a masterclass with Gabi Esposito, Food Creative, who guided them through the delicate balance of flavour, texture, and technique needed to create perfect preserves. Aphiwe impressed with creativity, preparing a pancake stack topped with mixed berry compote and cream. Unfortunately, the technical side of the dish proved tricky, and the judges felt that the compote overpowered the cream.

"I am disappointed about going home," Aphiwe said. "I thought I would stay longer, and I really wanted to make my parents proud, but I know I have already made them proud by being on the show. The experience was incredible. I loved being up close to and learning from the judges, working with people I've never met before and getting my chef's jacket!"

Kimberly presented a fruit salad with granadilla Greek yoghurt, alongside fruit scones with strawberry jam, cream, and cheese. However, the judges noted that her jam was too sweet and thick, while the scones were overbaked and dry. Despite this, Kimberly's enthusiasm and positivity shone through.

"I enjoyed the show so much because I got to show South Africa, no wait, the world, what I am capable of!" said an emotional Kimberly. "What I learned was that failing at a task is OK. It’s not what you fail at that defines you; it’s how you overcome those failures and keep moving forward.

"People still love you even if you are not perfect. Oh, and seasoning is definitely your friend, not your enemy!"

As the competition heats up, the kitchen is proving to be full of surprises and plenty of flavour. With every challenge, these young chefs continue to learn, grow, and show that talent has no age limit.

Catch new episodes of The Taste Master Junior Season 2, brought to you by Clover, every Tuesday at 7.30pm on SABC2, with repeats every Wednesday at 1 pm and Sunday at 4pm.