Come Dine With Me South Africa Season 4 Episode 1 Episode 1
- January 1, 2017
- 49 min
Come Dine With Me South Africa is a reality show in which several strangers come together in the hopes of earning the coveted title of the perfect host. Each contestant is tasked with preparing a three-course meal for the rest of the group, and the guests rate their experience out of ten. The host with the highest score at the end of the week wins a cash prize, and of course, bragging rights.
Season four of Come Dine With Me South Africa kicks off with Episode 1, in which four contestants will put their culinary skills to the test. First up is Taryn, a 33-year-old stay-at-home mom from Johannesburg. Taryn is a self-proclaimed foodie who loves experimenting with different cuisines and techniques, and she's hoping to impress her fellow contestants with her knowledge and expertise. Taryn has planned a sophisticated menu that includes seared scallops, rack of lamb, and a lemon tart to finish.
Next, we meet Bongani, a 24-year-old student from Cape Town. Bongani is no stranger to the kitchen, having grown up helping his mom prepare meals for their large family. Bongani is a proud vegan, and he's excited to show his guests that plant-based cuisine can be just as delicious and satisfying as meat-based dishes. Bongani's menu includes a coconut and pumpkin soup, lentil moussaka, and a berry crumble for dessert.
The third contestant is Reuben, a 42-year-old businessman from Durban. Reuben is a bit of a dark horse, having never cooked for anyone outside of his family before. However, he's confident that his love of cooking and his competitive spirit will carry him through the competition. Reuben has opted for a classic bistro-style menu, featuring French onion soup, beef bourguignon, and a crème brûlée for dessert.
Last but not least is Lila, a 28-year-old marketing executive from Port Elizabeth. Lila is a self-professed perfectionist who has planned every detail of her dinner party down to the last napkin fold. Lila's menu is a fusion of South African and Asian flavors, featuring bobotie spring rolls, crispy pork belly with Asian slaw, and a coconut and lime panna cotta for dessert.
As the guests arrive at Taryn's home, they're greeted with glasses of champagne and a warm welcome. Taryn's meticulously styled table setting and elegant décor impresses the group, but their focus is on the food. As they make their way through the courses, the guests are impressed with Taryn's attention to detail and the bold flavors she's incorporated into her dishes. However, some of the contestants feel that Taryn's menu is a bit too ambitious and that she may have bitten off more than she can chew.
Next, the contestants head to Bongani's home for his vegan feast. Bongani's welcoming personality and infectious enthusiasm win over the group, and they're impressed with his creative take on plant-based cuisine. The lentil moussaka is a particular hit, with several guests saying that they wouldn't have even realized it was vegan if they hadn't been told. However, some of the guests were less enthusiastic about the coconut and pumpkin soup, which they felt was a bit too sweet.
Reuben is up next, and the contestants are curious to see how he'll fare in the competition given his lack of experience. Reuben's French-inspired menu is a hit with the group, and they're impressed with the depth of flavor in the beef bourguignon. However, some guests feel that the portions are a bit small, and there's a sense that Reuben may have played it a bit safe with his menu.
Finally, the group heads to Lila's home for her South African-Asian fusion meal. Lila's meticulous planning and attention to detail are evident in every aspect of the dinner party, from the exotic flower arrangements to the carefully chosen music. The group is blown away by the bold flavors and creative combinations in Lila's dishes, and they're unanimous in their praise for the unusual bobotie spring rolls. However, some guests feel that Lila's menu is a bit disjointed, with too many different flavors and influences competing for attention.
As the contestants finish their meals and prepare to score their hosts, tensions start to rise. There's a sense that some of the guests may have been a bit too harsh in their ratings, and there's a palpable sense of anxiety as the scores are revealed. In the end, there can only be one winner, and the cash prize and bragging rights go to the contestant with the highest score at the end of the week. Tune in to Come Dine With Me South Africa to find out who will come out on top in Episode 1.