Justin Bonello explains the success behind Ultimate Braaimaster
|||Justin Bonello’s TV show changes channels to whet even more appetites, writes Debashine Thangevelo
THERE is no dearth of food or travel shows on TV. As such, those that get the nod are generally pioneering and captivating.
And Justin Bonello’s Ultimate Braai Master, now in its fourth season, has secured a slot on the Travel Channel.
Best known for his Cooked series and his numerous cookbooks, Bonello sheds light on how this series has evolved over the seasons. It also encapsulates his two favourite things: his love of cooking and the outdoors.
First thing’s first. Tonight asked him about the move from SABC3 (for the first two seasons) to e.tv and now Travel Channel.
He says: “The move to e.tv has been fantastic for us; we doubled our viewership. In terms of Travel Channel, that’s been a four-year relationship. It’s quite nice that we get the full spectrum of South Africa to watch the show. We are the second-most watched show on the channel. It also pushes a local home-grown show in an international space. That’s really quite humbling.”
Don’t be fooled by the title, it’s not quite as limiting, cooking-wise, as it suggests.
“We have proved that you can cook anything on an open fire, like a malva pudding. Fire gives you a flavour you can’t recreate any other way. It’s funny, in the same way that no two snowflakes are alike, no two fires create the same flavour. The herbs used and the type of wood used give the food a distinct flavour,” Bonello notes.
And that’s where the three judges – Bonello, Bertus Basson and Petrus Madutlela – really boost the show’s appeal as they get to put the 13 teams through their paces with myriad challenges.
The recipes include everything from red meat, seafood, poultry, breads and sides to desserts. There’s nothing simple or straightforward about the dishes prepared either – they demand skill and the ability to cope under pressure in a environment that has a contrasting relaxed feel. Of course, it is anything but when the team’s success is determined by the clock ticking away.
Bonello adds: “More often than not, the tasks are determined by the surroundings. For example, if we are in the Karoo, we will do something with lamb. So it is figuring out exactly what that is. We want them to be surprised and challenged. We look at what people do with what’s in the pantry when they are near the end of the camping.”
Ultimate Braai Master has earned its loyal following by ensuring that it has engaging characters, people who can cook (often under pressure and in challenging terrain) and people who can think outside of the box.
Over the seasons, the concept has naturally become more refined.
He shares: “You have to produce world-class content, especially when there is access to so much, including Netflix. The biggest challenge is ensuring what works on the show and maintaining the production value. You can’t give the public less than that. When we (meaning Cooked in Africa Films) started, we were virgins to shooting a reality show. In season four, what we did at the beginning of the game is to put individual teams into groups. Then they come to a point where they start fighting individually. That worked really well.
“In season one, we had 15 teams, now we have 13. We also want viewers to get to know more about the characters. We have a broad representation from different provinces. So the game dynamics and character development become a selling point,” he continues.
The application process of the contestants also helped them filter strong, compelling personalities combined with that flair for cooking.
Bonello reveals: “We are quite blessed. There is always someone in a braai group who is gregarious and funny. They hold the braai together and create some good times around the fire. We got those people.”
In covering 7 000km in 60 days, the travel aspect also becomes a cornerstone in the narrative.
He notes: “We go to one of my favourite places in the world – the Wild Coast. I love when we get into more cultural situations, with the contestants taking part in the dancing and drumming sessions in the villages they stay at.”
Although putting the show together is a bit of a logistical nightmare, especially dealing with different personalities, the vast crew and two months on the road, the rewarding experiences make it worth it.
And the travels take them from the Gariep Dam, Karoo, to East London, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Gauteng. Along the way, they visit the Ithala Game Reserve and the Blyde River Canyon.
Ultimate Braai Master helps erase everything you thought you knew about braaing, offering viewers a tantalising spread that’s truly South African.
Ultimate Braai Master 4 airs on Travel Channel (DStv channel 179) on Tuesday, March 29 at 9pm.