Exhibitions & Events News South Africa

MasterChef twins bound for SA

Winners from the first Junior MasterChef Australia, twins Sofia and Isabella Bliss will be visiting South Africa at the Good Food and Wine Show at the Cape Town International Conference Centre from 23-26 May 2013. Isabella took the title while Sofia came in the top four.
Isabella and Sofia Bliss
Isabella and Sofia Bliss

They inspired both young and old alike with their culinary prowess and have gone on to cook with Jamie Oliver, publish their own cookbook and tour the world to get other kids into the kitchen.

Isabella, who is now 14, said she has always had a deep passion for cooking and her close-knit family helped guide her and sister. Learning traditional Italian recipes, particularly Sicilian dishes, from her mum Sylvane and her Nonna is one of Isabella's favourite past times. "I was two years-old and started making pizza in the kitchen. They were always there for us and encouraged us to cook and experiment."

She added the competition had changed their lives. "We have met so many people, done so many things and had so many great opportunities, like this upcoming visit to South Africa. We are very excited about it."

During their demonstrations at the show, they will cook dishes from their book, 'A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That' and display the cooking skills that won them their fame. They believe that all youngsters should know how to cook and where their food comes from. This would help with rising obesity rates around the world.

Isabella dreams of one day opening her own restaurant with her sister, which has already been named 'Issofia'. She will be head chef and Sofia will be the manager. So passionate are they about this dream, they have already started making up menus and business cards.

Education is still an important facet of their young lives. "It's important that we keep up with our work and we are organised."

Over the past year the sisters have been involved with several exciting projects which includes giving time and energy to charities such as 'Cupcake for A Cure', which funds research for childhood cancer. They have also helped cook up a storm at the Jamie Oliver Ministry of Food - Queensland Flood Appeal event and worked with the Starlight Foundation.

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