MasterChef South Africa

One of South Africa’s most beloved and recognised TV chefs, Zola Nene has made waves in the industry with her skill and passion for food. In 2007 Zola enrolled at the Institute of Culinary Arts in Stellenbosch. During her studies, she had the opportunity to work with top local chefs including Margot Janse of Le Quartier Français and Chris Erasmus of Foliage.

Following her training, Zola went on to become the resident chef of South Africa’s popular breakfast show, Expresso Morning Show, on SABC 3.

In 2016 Nene joined the third season of BBC Worldwide Africa’s The Great South African Bake Off, as one of the presenters, which premiered on BBC Lifestyle channel in 2017.

In addition to her successful stints on various TV shows, Zola has published cookbooks, including Simply Delicious, which came second in the category of Best (English) TV Chef Book at the prestigious Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. In 2019 Zola won the Best in the World Award for her second book, Simply Zola.

Local reality fans will also recognise her as the resident food critic in Wedding Bashers and from entertaining the stars in Celeb Feasts with Zola Nene.

In Zola’s most recent TV adventure she joined British chef Gordon Ramsay in the second season of National Geographic’s series, Gordon Ramsay: Unchartered which aired in 2020.