A post shared by J’Something™ (@jsomethingmusic) on Jun 6, 2017 at 6:32am PDT

The South African version of popular Australian cooking show, My Kitchen Rules, will soon start filming, with two local judges who will bring a lot to the table. David Higgs, the award-winning chef at Marble, will join pop star, food personality and restaurateur J’Something to call the shots on the show, where pairs of home cooks will showcase their flair for food and ability to create instant pop-up restaurants.

My Kitchen Rules SA, broadcast by M-Net, aims to feature a diverse range of foodies who will pit their skills against other teams with the grand cash prize in mind. The hotly contested competition is known for creating villains and heroes, so we look forward to seeing the fire our citizens can conjure up in the kitchen.

 

 

A post shared by My Kitchen Rules #MKR (@mykitchenrules) on Apr 4, 2017 at 1:20am PDT

 

J’Something, who recently opened Something’s Cooking by J at Time Square in Menlyn, is a self-confessed ‘big fan’ of My Kitchen Rules: “It feels like it’s a show about people like me. And then also the reality and the drama behind it is what keeps me hooked!”

What David Higgs enjoys about the show is that it offers more for the viewer. “It’s not just about cooking and pretty plates. There will be drama, for sure, but mainly it shows what the possibilities are for cooks at home, with tips and ideas aplenty.”

There are two parts of the competition. Firstly, the contestants have to host the other teams and two celebrity chefs in their own home. Then, in the second phase, there will be a series of challenges in the show’s kitchen headquarters and at various locations around SA.

A post shared by David Higgs (@davidhiggschef) on Jun 6, 2017 at 7:13am PDT

J’Something is really excited about the experience. “I’m most looking forward to seeing the South African culture come through in the show from a food point of view. I think that we have such a diverse culture and it is going to be so interesting inviting people into their homes and seeing the reality around that.”

Asked if he’s ready for the change of pace from fine dining to amateur cooking, chef David is optimistic: “For obvious reasons, I don’t get invited to many dinner parties, but I do know that home cooks have plenty passion, old family recipes and secrets they treasure – that’s what makes it so special. If the contestants cook from the heart and have those emotions connected to the food, we’re in for a treat.”

The auditions have already been held in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Keep up to date with show developments on the M-Net site here.

Will the contestant’s dishes look like this? One of Higgs’s dishes at Marble: blackened octopus with crushed paprika potato, and candied lemon squid. Photo supplied.