Masterchef SA is coming 'now now'. Here are 3 reasons why you can't miss it

It's official MasterChef Day! Hot off the heels of another successful season of My Kitchen Rules SA, Mnet brings you Masterchef South Africa.

Hands up if just like us, you are excited to see what this fourth season comes bearing.

Premiering on 28 February 2022, the show promises all the feels, adrenaline and drool-worthy dishes.

The channel unveiled, to much fanfare, the 20 contestants who will be vying for the ultimate prize of R1million.

The lineup of competitors comprises cooks from all walks of life including a dentist, a marine scientist and an accountant.

Pick n Pay is the headline sponsor for the season, providing a lavish pantry for all the challenges.

Not that you'd need a nudge, but we have put together some of the reasons (there are plenty) why you cannot afford to miss the Mzansi version of this world-renowned show.

Meet the judges

Taking over the baton from Pete Goffe-Wood, Benny Masekwameng and Reuben Riffel, this season's judging panel is made out of celebrated chef, food stylist and award-winning author Zola Nene. Zola is no stranger to cooking competition judging -- she judged The Great South African Bake-Off and also recently the Taste Master South Africa.

Alongside Zola is Grègory Czarnecki who is the former head chef at the award-winning The Restaurant at Waterkloof and mentor for the prestigious S Pellegrino Young Chef competition in Africa and the Middle East.

His French heritage is carried intelligently and creatively in his food.

Justine Drake completes the trio. She is an author of five cookbooks and host of her own TV cooking shows, and editor of Pick n Pay’s Fresh Living magazine. Justine, a legend in the SA culinary world, has worked in food media since 1988.

The Contestants

What do you get when you take a dentist, a marine scientist and an influencer, and put them in the country’s hottest kitchen? The new season of MasterChef South Africa, of course. We know that but hear this, the diversity in the finalists is commendable. It reflects South Africa as we know and love it, so big ups to the production team and Mnet.

We've waited 8 years for it

The Mzansi leg of the loved franchise has had three seasons which aired in 2012, 2013 and 2014. These were followed by a celebrity edition, which aired in 2015 and was won by comedian Chris Forrest.

Since then, the food scene has evolved and trends have come and gone. The internet of things has also brought a huge influence to how we eat, cook and share food. It will be interesting to watch the contestants bring us the heat while vying for that coveted prize.

The show airs Mondays to Thursdays on Mnet Channel 101 at 6pm. It's on!