Tapfuma Makina is the new host of Ultimate Braai Master on e.tv for season 8.

by Thinus Ferreira

The new host of Ultimate Braai Master for the reality braai competition's 8th season is Tapfuma Makina who is replacing show creator Justin Bonello.

Tapfuma Makina joins the Trace Studios produced series in which several teams of two will once again compete against each other - this season across venues in the Western Cape - to see who South Africa's latest braai champions are, in 13 episodes starting on e.tv on Saturday 5 February at 17:00.

Tapfuma Makina takes over as presenter from Justin Bonello for the 8th season, with the series retaining judges Peter Goffe-Wood and Benny Masekwameng from previous seasons.

Tapfuma Makina who has presented various TV series and is also known as a TV sports news anchor on e.tv and a radio host, has a B.Sc degree in biochemistry and microbiology, and says he's excited to be a part of Ultimate Braai Master as the new host.

On taking over from Justin Bonello as Ultimate Braai Master host, Tapfuma Makina says "it's an honour to take up the baton. Justin created one of South Africa's most iconic and longest-running reality TV shows".

"That we're now in season eight of the show proves how phenomenal a concept it is, and how loved he was as a host. It's a privilege to be a part of the house that Bonello built".

"I love food but I am no chef, and have nothing but respect for those with that innate talent - I leave that to the experts Benny and Pete, now in their 5th season together on Ultimate Braai Master. Who better to judge?"

"I'm simply taskmaster, my job is to help the braai master hopefuls, and our audience navigate the mechanics of the show, and steer them through the twists and turns that comprise the journey to finding the next Ultimate Braai Master."

After travelling across South Africa in previous season for challenges, the series switched to using just the Eastern Cape province in the 7th season and now just the Western Cape for the latest upcoming season, marking a slight format change for the show which will likely start to utilise specific provinces for future seasons. 

With Ultimate Braai Master that was picked up by Netflix last season besides its airing on e.tv, Ultimate Braai Master with its new Western Cape season plans to "showcase the wealth of produce celebrated in the region, from free-range dairy and grain-fed cattle, to fresh grown organic vegetables from farm to braai to table".

Ultimate Braai Master back for season 8 and new host on e.tv in 2023.

by Thinus Ferreira

The South African competition reality show Ultimate Braai Master will be back for an 8th season in 2023 on e.tv and will be switching to the Western Cape, with creator Justin Bonello stepping away as host but retaining judges Peter Goffe-Wood and Benny Masekwameng.

With a new host still to be announced, season 8 of Ultimate Braai Master will be on e.tv from 5 February 2023 at 17:00, with the show telling TVwithThinus it will be filmed between 26 October and 2 December and in the Western Cape this year for 13 episodes after two seasons shot in the Eastern Cape.

With over 8 million viewers who watched season 7 on e.tv as well as on the eXtra and eReality channels on eMedia's Openview satellite service, the show was also picked up by Netflix for a global audience since February this year.

"Another very exciting chapter in the Ultimate Braai Master journey lies ahead of us," says Sivan Pillay, Trace Studios CEO. 

"Trace Studios looks forward to producing another series and is very excited about the sponsor partnerships that G2Connection has brought to the Ultimate Braai Master brand. In addition, there will be a new host presenting the show this round."

The 8th season of Ultimate Braai Master will feature 10 teams having to braai all kinds of food in various locations in all kinds of manner, and will be filmed in the Western Cape. 

The season plans to "showcase the wealth of produce celebrated in the region, from free range dairy and grain fed cattle, to fresh grown organic vegetables from farm to braai to table".

UNDER FIRE. Ultimate Braai Master returns for a 7th season with Justin Bonello and judges Pete Goffe-Wood and Benny Masekwameng.

by Thinus Ferreira

The braai reality competition show Ultimate Braai Master (UBM) returns for its 7th season on Saturday at 18:00 on e.tv, with Justin Bonello who is once again the presenter and with Pete Goffe-Wood and Benny Masekwameng returning as judges for an "Under Fire"-themed season.

The new season was filmed in Gqeberha during August and September as a Covid-19 safe bubble production, featuring new teams and contestants from across South Africa who have to braai within the allocated time, according to themes, come rain, wind or sunshine.

"The last 18 months have been a trying time for all South Africans, so I was delighted by the high standard of talent that applied to be a part of Ultimate Braai Master, so much so that making the decision about the final teams was really tough," says Justin Bonello.

"We also spent time identifying great locations in the Nelson Mandela Bay area. We wanted locations that were going to test both the contestants' resilience and cooking ability, and at the same time showcase what a great tourist destination Nelson Mandela Bay is. It is a very exciting series."

Benny Masekwameng says that "What I most enjoy about Ultimate Braai Master is how the show's diversity unites everyone around one fire".

"I really enjoy the innovation and creativity that this group brings to the show.  The camaraderie that is built during the shoot endures long after the show has aired."

This Ultimate Braai Master season has been themed "Under Fire" with episodes that will repeat on Saturdays on the eReality channel at 16:00 and on eExtra on Sundays at 14:35.

ALSO READ: 7th season of Ultimate Braai Master to film in Nelson Mandela Bay over 6 weeks as a contained Covid-safe bubble show, will broadcast on e.tv and stream on Netflix.