MasterChef South Africa

Luyanda Mafanya (27), Food Blogger and Private Cook, Johannesburg

Signature dishes: Spiced rooibos malva pudding with homemade gelato and crème anglaise, braised ox tongue.

Favourite heritage food: Umleqwa (hard body chicken).

With almost 120,000 Instagram followers, Luyanda is a food influencer who sees creative plating and flavour development as her strengths. She cooks everything from African and Italian, to modern cuisines from around the world. 

Cooking since age 7, the outspoken and independent Luyanda’s real love for food was ignited by the sad loss of her beloved grandmother – cooking made her feel more connected to her late gran. Making food that is evocative and has heart, there is never a dull moment when she’s on screen. She previously made it to the semi-finals of My Kitchen Rules SA, and her greatest influence is Jan Hendrik, the first Michelin star chef who has put South African cuisine on the world stage.