UMhlanga’s own Calvin Silson continues to wave the uMhlanga flag high after securing a place in the Top 7 of MasterChef South Africa.
Silson, a sales and operations manager, said he was shocked to make it this far in the competition. He also reflected on how he turned his long-time fandom of the show into a reality. He said: “For me, just making the show was a huge achievement. I honestly didn’t think I would make it this far, but giving my absolute best all the time paid off. I have always been a massive fan of the show, and when I felt stuck in my job, I grabbed the opportunity to showcase my cooking skills. Funny enough, I only submitted my entry form hours before entries closed.”
Silson said his passion for cooking began at the age of 12. He said: “My mom owned a catering business, so I took a lot of inspiration from that. Furthermore, I grew up in a family with half Italian and half Afrikaans heritage, and was exposed to the rich heritage and hearty flavours of Italian food, as well as the way my mom and grandmother cooked with passion and attention to detail. I also admire chefs who are disciplined and innovative in the kitchen and strive to apply these qualities when creating my own dishes.”
His favourite dishes include Mediterranean cuisine, outdoor cooking, seafood and pasta. Outside the kitchen, Silson is a former pupil of Glenashley Preparatory School and Northwood School and said he represents both schools with pride. He enjoys running, training, and spending time with his girlfriend and daughter.
Silson said the experience has inspired him to start a food-related business. While he cannot reveal too much at this stage, he urged the public to watch this space.
MasterChef South Africa Season 6 airs on Sundays at 6pm on e.tv.
