If you’re a fan of MasterChef SA, you’re in for a real treat. Two of the finalists from the 2015 season will be performing together in Short Chef Skinny Chef at the Good Food & Wine Show, at the Ticketpro Dome in Johannesburg this weekend. Runner-up of Season 3 Siphokazi Mdlankomo is the short chef, whilst finalist Claire Allen is the skinny chef. Siphokazi and Claire met on Masterchef where they were roommates at boot camp and the duo began in the reality show’s kitchen in Paarl where they became very close friends.

“We bonded immediately”, says Claire. “Short Chef Skinny Chef is rather obviously founded on the fact that Siphokazi is short and I’m rather skinny, it rolled off my tongue one day and the idea just stuck.” Siphokazi explains how the show is unique. “I’m short and Claire is skinny; it’s all about having fun but at the same time teaching and giving tips and also learning from the audience, it’s not all about us.”

Siphokazi Mdlankomo, affectionately known as Sipho, comes in at 1.3m and is proof that dynamite comes in small packages. She has a full range of cooking abilities and experience to make any home-cook a little jealous. She has a fountain of knowledge and love for cooking that is enjoyed by everyone that watches her. Sipho has been a domestic worker for the past fifteen years and since 2014 has simultaneously worked for Pick ‘n Pay as well as represented Royco. She has also written a cookbook, My Little Black Recipe Book, and is currently working on her very own cooking show!

Claire Allen lives by the quote “my life is a constant battle between my love for food and wanting abs” – her cooking style is all about being homely, flavoursome and balanced, offering tips and tricks to make every meal just a little more delicious. Her earliest memories are in the kitchen cooking with her gran, watching cooking shows and trying to recreate the dishes. “I was going to study to be a chef but I changed my mind in matric and went into PR and events.

However my passion and love for cooking has always been there – I expressed this whenever I could – and in 2014 my burning desire to see how good a cook I could be led me to entering MasterChef South Africa.” Claire has been working hard to dismiss the age-old myth that you can never trust a skinny chef. “You should trust them more! Cooking and enjoying your food is about balance and I wish to showcase that in my demos and food philosophy.” Claire’s personal brand is The Foodie In Love, which encompasses solo demos, blogging and a newly launched YouTube series.

The ladies have incredible sponsors so the starting point for creating their incredible dishes are always with the brands they are working with – showcasing affordable, delicious meals you don’t need to be a chef to prepare. At this year’s the Good Food & Wine Show, dishes include Crème Brûlée Rice Pudding, Fish Taco’s and Raspberry Cream Semifreddo, to mention just a few!

Sipho enjoys the moment their dishes are served, while Claire finds fulfillment in audience members coming up to them after a demo to ask for a recipe because they now feel they can try it at home.

Short Chef Skinny Chef, sponsored by Selati, Porcupine Ridge, Clover, Lancewood, Global Knives, Scanpan, Kitchen Aid, Nomu and Natural ‘Herbs and Spices’ will be performing on Friday (29 July) from 11h30 until 19h30, on Saturday (30 July) from 10h30 until 19h30 and on Sunday (31 July) from 10h30 until 16h30.

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