If the thought of having to cook during loadshedding is getting you down, why not take inspiration from Ultimate Braai Master and head outdoors? We’ve asked the teams, judges and host for their braai advice, must-have gadget and favourite spot to cook.
Malebogo Diraditsile (Village Cooks)
Braai advice?
Avoid arguments, be creative and manage your fire!
Favourite recipe?
Making a nice pot of bread
Most amazing spot?
Pat Busch Mountain Reserve in Robertson
Naledi Matshitse (Village Cooks)
Best gadget?
My Cast Iron Dutch Oven.
Favourite recipe?
I make a mean oxtail and dumplings – and for dessert, definitely Malva Pudding, all of which can be made in my Dutch Oven.
Most amazing spot?
Pilanesberg Nature Reserve – they have the coolest picnic areas with amazing views
Jean Coetzee (Braai Bokke)
Braai advice?
Look after your fire. Outdoor cooking is totally different to using a conventional oven as you can’t regulate your temperature
Best gadget?
A potjie is so versatile in its use, you can almost do anything with it.
Favourite recipe?
If I had to choose one dish, it’s oxtail potjie with samp. You can also never go wrong with a staan rib and a lekker braaibroodjie.
Marnes Van Der Westhuyzen (Braai Bokke)
Best gadget?
A knife… and a lighter!
Favourite recipe?
Definitely a rump, fillet or T-bone steak – with some mashed potatoes and chimichurri sauce
Most amazing spot?
KraalBaai in the West Coast National Park, and on the beach at De Hoop Nature Reserve – both places we got to braai in during the Ultimate Braai Master
Emile Ebelin (Bird Tanners)
Braai advice?
Know how to manage and control your flame to keep the perfect heat – you can do this by focusing on your fire continuously and adding wood when the time is right
Best gadget?
The FireSmith – you can smoke, cook, braai and hang all on one piece of equipmentÂ
Favourite recipe?
A beef espetada on olive branches, cooked on an open flame with bay leaves, coarse salt and olive oil.
Tapfuma Makina (Host)
Braai advice?
Don’t be afraid to experiment. There’s so much you do on a fire outside, so experiment with wood chips and smoking, try an underground oven, or maybe finally use that rotisserie attachment your braai stand came with.
Best gadget?
The Charcoal Chimney/Braai Starter. My dad was always proud of being able to start a first from just a few twigs, but I’m all about making it as easy as possible – why struggle?!
Favourite recipe?
Ribs (and I’ll tell what is NOT favourite – Chicken!)
Chef Pete Goffe Wood (Judge)
Braai advice?
Be prepared – think about what you want to cook, how long it takes and what sort of heat it requires. Of course you’ll also have to factor in the elements, especially in Cape Town where our weather has a mind of its own
Best gadget?
My favourite outdoor cooking equipment would be my Weber – my obsession with braaing coupled with the rigors of Loadshedding mean that I cook outdoors at least 4 times a week.Â
I find the versatility of the Weber, with its lid and indirect cooking methods, means there’s not much I can’t knock up – from baking hot cross buns to Sunday roasts with all the trimmings.Â
Favourite recipe? That’s like asking which is your favourite child – time is always the factor, if there’s little of it then steak is my go-to, but if I’ve time on my hands then a long, slow crispy pork belly is always a treat.