BBC Studios Africa commissions second season of Rapid Blue's Homegrown Tastes SA with Lorna Maseko for BBC Lifestyle in 2023.

by Thinus Ferreira

BBC Studios Africa has commissioned Rapid Blue to film a second season of Homegrown Tastes South Africa with presenter Lorna Maseko, with the next season which will start on BBC Lifestyle (DStv 174) in 2023.

Filming on the second season of Homegrown Tastes SA will take place in December 2022 for 7 weeks.

Pierre Cloete, BBC Studios Africa commercial director, says in a statement that "We are thrilled to bring another season of Homegrown Tastes South Africa to BBC Lifestyle audiences and to have the wonderful Lorna Maseko returning to our screens".

"We've seen a  real appetite for local content and this announcement reflects our commitment to bring even more local commissions to the channel. It's very exciting to have season 2 ready for production and to see the show going from strength to strength."

Ziyanda Ngcaba, Rapid Blue managing director, in the statement says "We're thrilled that the first season of Homegrown Tastes South Africa received such a positive response from BBC Lifestyle viewers. Having been awarded a second season, we can't wait to cook up more deliciousness and showcase the wonders of South Africa".

"It's amazing to work with the talented Lorna Maseko again - she really is the heart that brings the series to life."

Lorna Maseko, in the statement says "I am so excited that Homegrown Tastes South Africa is returning to  BBC Lifestyle for a second season. To celebrate South Africa's incredible produce and the people behind the magic, is what makes this show so special".

"The response to season one was incredible and I can't wait for audiences to discover even more local stories, delicious recipes and inspirational chefs. I'm so ready for this journey and I can't wait for BBC Lifestyle's audiences to join me next year."

Chef-presenter Lorna Maseko to front new 10-episode Homegrown Tastes South Africa series from Rapid Blue for BBC Lifestyle in 2022.

by Thinus Ferreira

BBC Studios' BBC Lifestyle (DStv 174) will broadcast a new lifestyle series, Homegrown Tastes South Africa, in 2022, produced by Rapid Blue with chef Lorna Maseko as the presenter.

In Homegrown Tastes South Africa, Lorna Maseko journeys across South Africa - from Johannesburg to the highest town in South Africa, Dullstroom, the Karoo, the Cape's winelands and its fishing fleets - to meet South African celebrities, South African chefs, producers and restaurant owners.

In Homegrown Tastes South Africa Lorna Maseko explores South Africa's unique homegrown cuisine from urban street food to signature South African dishes, eafood and wines.

In each episode Lorna Maseko prepares her own interpretation for local chefs and celebrities.

Filming has started on Homegrown Tastes South Africa that will continue for 7 weeks and will consist out of 10 episodes.

Ziyanda Ngcaba, Rapid Blue managing director, says "Homegrown Tastes South Africa will provide an inspirational look into South Africa's cuisine in a way that has never been done before".

"From the moment Lorna approached us, and told us about her love for good food and her global experiences with tastes, we were thrilled to turn that into a TV show."

"Together we will celebrate all that is grown in our local soil and the people and communities that so proudly invest their lives creating the world's very best produce."

"With mouthwatering recipes, local celebrities, inspirational stories, beautiful landscapes and the very best host, it's the perfect fit for BBC Lifestyle and we're excited for audiences of all ages to tune in next year."

Lorna Maseko says "Homegrown Tastes South Africa goes beyond the incredible food, it also celebrates the farmers, the soil and where our favourite dishes came from".

"I want South Africans to be proud of who we are and enjoy the stories behind our food. We have some of the most inspiring chefs that are respected globally, and I know this is content South Africans are hungry for. We have started creating magic and I can't wait for BBC Lifestyle's audiences to see the results."

'Clearly intoxicated' Top Chef SA and Top Billing presenter Lorna Maseko upstages YOU Spectacular 2016; drops F-word on-stage in rambling speech.

An apparently drunk Lorna Maseko upstaged the YOU Spectacular 2016 when she went off message in a rambling speech on stage while she dropped the F-word, said she wanted to be a rapper and revealed that she is divorced and "newly single".

The awkward and cringe-worthy on-stage drama unfolded when Lorna Maseko was supposed to present the award for Rising Star at the YOU Spectacular 2016 on Saturday evening.

While YOU Spectacular 2016 host Anne Hirsch valiantly tried to wrestle back control from Lorna Maseko who was "clearly intoxicated" according to reports, the presenter of Top Billing and Top Chef South Africa on SABC3 launched into a rambling speech, including on-stage profanity, instead of properly presenting the award to rapper Emtee and leaving the stage.

Dropping the F-word, Lorna Maseko told the audience she always wanted to be a rapper. 

Commenting about short men, she also felt it appropriate to share that she's newly single and divorced. According to reports, Anne Hirsch eventually took Lorna Maseko's mic away after Lorna Maseko also said she's even ready for a lesbian relationship with Anne Hirsch.

Lorna Maseko married Gcina "GC" Lukhele in December 2010 in at the Memoire wedding venue in Muldersdrift attended by 150 close friends and family members.

Neill Anthony and Lesego Semenya to judge Top Chef South Africa on SABC3; Lorna Masego the presenter of the format chef competition show set to start on 12 July.

Local chefs Neill Anthony and Lesego Semenya will be the judges of the local version of Top Chef South Africa on SABC3 with Lorna Masego as the presenter.

The starting date of the local version of the chef competition format show from NBCUniversal International has been pushed out and will now start on SABC3 on 12 July at 20:00.

So-called "cheftestants" from across South Africa compete in kitchen challenges and are then eliminated in the Urban Brew Studios produced show similar to what viewers saw on MasterChef South Africa on M-Net.

Neill Anthony who will soon be seen in a second season of Neill Anthony Private Chef is the head judge of Top Chef SA, who will be assisted by Lesego Semenya.

Trish Taylor, Urban Brew CEO says Lorna Masego's "love for food, her refined palate and her effortless elegance made her a perfect fit for Top Chef SA" as the presenter.

"Top Chef South Africa is a first to market, brand-new offering to compliment SABC3's revised prime time schedule," says Aisha Mohamed, SABC3 channel head.

"The show provides a fast-paced and very real look inside a professional kitchen and what it takes to be a top chef which is a strong compliment to the high production value of the show".