What is My Kitchen Rules?
My Kitchen Rules is a competitive cooking show where amateur foodies participate in teams of two to win a cash prize. The series has two phases. The first phase is the “Instant Restaurant” phase where couples host other couples who are contestants and two celebrity chef judges in their own home. The second phase is a “Challenge Knock Out Competition” where pairs battle against each other in a series of cooking challenges in the My Kitchen Rules (MKR) kitchen HQ as well as in various locations in South Africa.
Who should enter?
M-Net is looking for authentic, honest, everyday South Africans who are passionate about cooking, entertaining, fun and adventure. You must enter with a partner (close friend, family member, partner, etc). You will have to work together with your partner and against the clock to impress our two celebrity chef judges and your fellow competitors. The menus you prepare and the evenings you design must show flair, innovation and – most of all – your personal style.
Why do I have to enter with a partner?
Teams of two people are required for My Kitchen Rules – that’s how the show works.
Can my partner be anyone?
You and your partner must have a pre-existing, strong relationship and you should have cooked together before. It could be your spouse, your lover, best friend, neighbour, cousin, parent or child… almost any type of real connection. The defining factor is that your partnership is natural and real.
Is there an age restriction for entry?
Yes. Both team members must be 18 years old or older on 1 June 2017.
Do I have to be a South African citizen?
Yes. You must both be South African citizens or have permanent residence status. You will be required to show proof of identity.
How much cooking experience do my partner and I need to have?
You should be passionate about cooking, know your way around a kitchen, know the basics, have favourite recipes, and have a few culinary tricks up your sleeve.
Is entry open to professional cooks?
No. This is not a show for people with professional chef training or for people who are working as professional or semi-professional cooks. If you have done a course in cooking, bring your certification to your audition and it will be assessed by the producers of the show. The final decision lies with the producers of the series.
Where do I go to audition?
Open auditions will take place between 8am and 5pm at the following places:
Johannesburg – 27 May and 28 May
International Hotel School
4 Kikuyo road, Sunninghill, Sandton, 8000
Cape Town – 3 June and 4 June
International Hotel School
2nd Floor, 106 Adderley street, Cape Town 8000
Durban – 3 June and 4 June
International Hotel School
124 Jan Hofmeyr road, Westville, Durban 3630
What do I need to bring to auditions?
You will need to bring a cold dish of your choice with you that will be tasted. Pack it in a cooler box with ice to ensure that your dish stays fresh. Tables will be provided for you to plate your dish for presentation but all the elements must be ready for assembly, and you must provide all necessary equipment and crockery for plating. Your dish must have been created by you and your partner – and yes, our chefs can tell the difference between homemade and store bought meals! The cold dish can be anything that shows off you and your partner’s unique flair – from a starter to a main, or even a dessert.
What happens at the audition?
The audition has various rounds. You and your partner will be required to fill out forms, answer a questionnaire, present your dish for tasting and you will be interviewed. If you progress through the cold dish round, you may be required to cook a hot dish on site. You will not be required to bring necessary ingredients or equipment for the hot dish round, should you make it that far.
Can I come alone?
No. You and your partner are required to attend the auditions together. You will be ineligible to audition if you arrive alone.
How long will the auditions take?
The process is likely to take a few hours of the day. Come prepared to queue. Waiting periods are common, so pack your best humour! Also come prepared for various weather conditions in your entry city. We advise that you bring some water and snacks for yourselves in case the queues are long. The earlier you come, the better. Doors will open at 08h00 in each city.
Is there any way to fast track the process?
Yes. You can enter online! If your entry is submitted 48-hours before the open auditions begin in your city, we can process it and you will benefit from a fast track at the audition. Submit your entry online, go to the fast track desk on arrival at the open auditions.
There are 2 OPTIONS when completing the online entry form:
- OPTION 1: Complete the simple form HERE and be fast forwarded through the queue at the open auditions.
- OPTION 2: Complete the more comprehensive form by clicking HERE and go straight through to the cold dish tasting room at auditions.
Can I enter online only? (In other words, not come to the open auditions?)
No. Follow this link to the online entry form: My Kitchen Rules Online Entry Form in order to get a fast track on the day of the open audition in a city near you.
In the online application, they suggest submitting a video. How important is this?
We strongly encourage all online entrants to submit their video.
What should the video cover?
The video should feature both of you together. Play to your strengths, have some fun and bowl us over with your on-screen presence, wit and cooking ability. You and your partner need to tell us everything we need to know about why you would be perfect for MKR. Be yourselves. Be as creative as you like. A few questions you may want to answer in your submission could include:
- Your names and the nature of your relationship.
- What do you love about cooking?
- Why are you applying for My Kitchen Rules?
- Why should you, as a team, be part of the show?
- Describe each other.
How long should it be?
No longer than 3 minutes please!
But I am not a professional cameraperson and I don’t have a camera!
Don’t panic! We are not judging your camera skills – we just want to see you two in action. You can use your phone – the video quality is really not important.
When does filming take place?
Filming takes place in batches between July and the end of September.
How much time off work will I need to take?
If you are successful and make it through this round of auditions, you will need to be available for 1 day in June for a home visit audition. Following that, if you receive a place in My Kitchen Rules season1 you will have to be available for filming for a ten-day period either in July or August. Filming for phase 2 begins in September. If you have made it that far, you will be required to be available for most of that month.
When do online entries close?
Online entries close on Sunday 4 June 2017. No late entries will be considered. The sooner you complete your application the better.
Who are the celebrity judges?
The celebrity judges of My Kitchen Rules will be announced at a later stage.
What is the prize for winning the show?
Apart from the winning title, there will be a cash prize for the winning team. More information around the prize will be announced at a later stage.
When Will My Kitchen Rules be broadcast?
The show will be broadcast from August 2017 on M-Net channel 101.