There are 12 episodes left in the next six weeks of MasterChef SA, and we are down to the Top 10, an amazing accolade for each of the Finalists, and will change their lives forever.  This is the MasterChef SA Season 2 Top 10 Finalist list, with their performance to date:

*   Tiron Eloff :  Into Pressure Test in episode 12, and did reasonably well. Twitter: @TironEloff

*   Karen Els : Top 5 dish in episode 7. Did well in her fish dish in the Pressure Test in episode 10, after not doing well in the Spice Test.  Won best dish in episode 11, and won a MasterClass in ice-cream making at The Creamery. Twitter: @kelsfoodie

*   Khumo Twala : Into Pressure Test in episode 6. Made a perfect hollandaise sauce, and was allowed to join the other Finalists in episode 6.  Top 5 dish in episode 7. Was in the Spice Test in episode 10, but was allowed to join the other Finalists.  Survived the Pressure Test in episode 14, making Chef David Higgs’ macaroons and panna cotta.  Twitter: @Simply_khumski

*   Ozzy Osman : Survived the Pressure Test in episode 14, making Chef David Higgs’ macaroons and panna cotta.  Twitter: @Oh_so_Ozzy

*   Leandri van der Wat:  Into Pressure Test in episode 8.  Had to go into the Bouillabaisse Test in episode 8, and did very well. Was in the Spice Test in episode 10, but was allowed to join the other Finalists.   @This_is_Leandri

*   Seline van der Wat :  Into Pressure Test in episode 6. Made a perfect Hollandaise sauce, and was allowed to join the other Finalists in episode 6. Into Pressure Test in episode 8. Touch and go, but survived Bouillabaisse Test in episode 8.  Twitter: @SelineVW

*   Kamini Pather : Winner of bell and Food and Wine Pairing Master Class at Nederburg, for best Signature Sandwich in episode 5. Best Dairy dish in episode 13.  Twitter: @KaminiPather

*   Joani Mitchell: Top 5 dish in episode 7. Was in the Spice Test in episode 10, but was allowed to join the other Finalists Twitter: @joanimitchell04

*   Amanda Beck :  Into Pressure Test in episode 8. Knew her cheeses well enough to get out of Bouillabaisse Test in episode 8. Survived the Pressure Test in episode 14, making Chef David Higgs’ macaroons and panna cotta.   Twitter: @quirky_mandy

*   Jason Steel :   Did not do well in Spice Test, and therefore went into the Pressure Test in episode 10.  Despite never having made risotto, he survived the Test.  Into the Pressure Test in episode 12, and did best of the three Finalists. Worked at La Colombe as a waiter, and now at The Test Kitchen.  Twitter: @jasonsteel100

Kamini Pather is the clear favorite to win, with no Pressure Tests yet, and winning two dishes of the day.   Joani Mitchell is the next best contender in not having been in a Pressure Test to date.

For an overview of what is lying ahead for the rest of Season 2 read here. For behind the scenes information on the filming of Season 2 in January read here.  For an overview of episode 1 of Season 2 read here. For an overview of episode 2 of Season 2 read here, for episode 3 read here, for episode 4 here, episode 5 here,  episode 6 here,  episode 7,  episode 8, episode 9, and episode 10,  episode 11,  episode 12,  episode 13,  and episode 14 read here.  Enter our competitions, to predict the Finalist who will be eliminated in the next Pressure Test, and which Finalist will win MasterChef SA Season 2.

MasterChef SA Season 2. Tuesdays and Wednesdays 19h30 – 20h30.  www.masterchefsa.dstv.co  Twitter: @MasterChef_SA.

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter: @WhaleCottage