Sarah Flowers and Joy Nxumalo Exit The Taste Master Junior After Challenging Garage Pie Bake-Off

The heat was on in the Taste Master Junior kitchen this week as the bottom six contestants faced a nail-biting elimination round that tested their pastry precision and creativity. The challenge: craft the ultimate “garage pie” — a handheld savoury delight worthy of South Africa’s grab-and-go food culture.

Guest judge and content creator Nicholas Fraser joined the panel to guide the young chefs through mastering the flaky crust and flavourful fillings that define a perfect pie. But as the oven timers ticked down, not everyone’s creation rose to the occasion.

Unfortunately, Sarah Flowers and Joy Nxumalo were the latest contestants to leave the competition after their ambitious bakes fell short of the judges’ expectations.

Joy’s creamy spinach, mushroom, cheese, and lamb pie promised comfort and indulgence, but an undercooked crust cost her crucial points. Meanwhile, Sarah’s lasagne-inspired pie — complete with mince and béchamel sauce — impressed the judges conceptually, though they wished for more sauce and layers to fully capture the essence of the Italian classic.

Despite their departure, both contestants left the Taste Master Junior kitchen with pride, gratitude, and a wealth of new culinary lessons.

Q&A with Sarah Flowers

Your creativity shines both in painting and cooking! How did that come through in your dishes?

“The pie challenge is definitely my most creative dish. Pastry takes patience and precision, and it pushed me to be more artistic with food.”

What did you enjoy most about creating your garage pie?

“Seeing everything come together — from the filling to the crust — was so satisfying.”

What will you miss most about being part of the Taste Master Junior family?

“Being in the kitchen and working alongside the other contestants. It felt like home.”

Biggest lesson you learned about yourself?

“That I can do way more than I think!”

Q&A with Joy Nxumalo

Your cooking journey started with your grandmother and mom. How did their influence help you in the competition?

“They taught me traditional recipes and confidence in the kitchen. Their lessons helped me stay calm and focused.”

What dish are you most proud of from your time on the show?

“My boerewors dish from Episode 2 — it felt truly South African.”

What inspired your garage pie concept?

“I wanted to make something restaurant-worthy — my lamb, spinach, and mushroom pie was my take on a signature dish.”

Best advice you’ll take away from the judges and mentors?

“Cooking isn’t just about recipes — it’s about flavour, texture, and presentation. Fritz taught me that food tells a story.”

Though Sarah and Joy’s Taste Master Junior journey has come to an end, their passion and creativity promise a bright culinary future. As the competition continues to heat up, the remaining contestants will have to bring their A-game to impress the judges and take home the title of The Taste Master Junior Season 2 Champion.

Catch new episodes of The Taste Master Junior Season 2, brought to you by Clover, every Tuesday at 7:30pm on SABC2, with repeats on Wednesday at 1pm and Sunday at 4pm.

For more updates, visit www.thetastemaster.co.za and follow The Taste Master SA on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X.