By Shevona Ann Ponnusamy

In episode 6 of MasterChef SA, our contestants were inspired by African food queen and renowned food author Dorah Sitole. They cooked up dishes from their grandmas' and mothers' kitchens oozing with flavour, heart, and soul. These are some of the heartwarming stories behind some of the incredible dishes.
 

A pumpKING adventure

Sims told us about his wonderful adventures buying pumpkins. He would venture out by foot to purchase them in Soweto for his grandmother from an old lady who sold pumpkins, earning him the name pumpKING. To celebrate this memory, he cooked up a hearty pumpkin and ginger soup and channeled his gogo all the way through. 

No place like mom's home

“A mother’s food is the best you can have. No brilliant chef in the world can come close to your mother’s cooking.” These are wonderful words to live by. Tasnim lost her dear mom last year and she spoke about her mom's authentic cooking and the inspiration she draws from it. She cooked up a chicken curry with amadumbe, an ingredient her mom loved to use. She also paid tribute to Dorah Sitole, whose cookbook and recipes really speak to her.

 

Grandma's sweet tooth

Tembisa shared that her grandma had a sweet tooth and decided to prepare a coconut and amadube ice cream in remembrance of her grandma. She also wears her grandma's necklace to keep her spirit alive and close. The lovely Phumzile Sitole then showed Tembisa her necklace which has her family's birthdates and home coordinates on it. Such a wonderful moment.

Mom's recipe for love

Charmaine's lamb biryani scored her immunity and she can thank her mom for it.  She says she always calls her mom in Durban for recipes and when she first met her husband seven years ago, she started cooking up Indian food for him, winning over his heart. We guess mom’s recipes are packed with love.

Share your lovely cooking stories with us and where you get inspiration using the hashtag #MasterChefSA.

Remember to watch MasterChef SA every Monday to Thursday at 18:00 on M-Net channel 101. In case you missed the latest episode, catch up with DStv using your connected device.