Danielle Speek Exits Taste Master SA After Memorable Seafood Challenge on Western Cape Coastline

This week’s episode of The Taste Master SA took the competition to the heart of the Western Cape coastline for a salt-splashed, flavour-packed challenge, and saw Pretoria’s Danielle Speek hang up her apron after a powerful run on the show.

With only four contestants remaining, the stakes were higher than ever as the episode paid tribute to South Africa’s coastal bounty. Contestants travelled to the iconic Hout Bay Harbour, where they were immersed in the world of fresh, local fish and traditional seafood techniques. A masterclass by Chef Tim Pick of Ember & Oak  set the tone for the challenge: create a unique seafood takeaway experience that captures flavour, culture, and creativity.

Danielle, a UX designer by day and experimental baker by heart, captured hearts with her rustic, intuitive approach to cooking and her love for sourdough. As she officially exits the show, Danielle reflects on her journey.

This week’s challenge was all about creating a standout seafood takeaway experience after a masterclass with Chef Tim Pick of Ember & Oak. What inspired your dish, and what was your approach to making it memorable?

This dish was a tribute to the street vendors who cook over fire and serve takeaway that feels like home. Rooibos is so me, and I was inspired by those Sunday smoked snoek braais at home. I really wanted to celebrate that nostalgic fish and chips moment but elevate it with local flavour and memory.

Seafood can be incredibly tricky to get right under pressure. How did you find working with this ingredient compared to your usual comfort zone in baking?

What a wonderful challenge. I actually loved working with the whole animal and honouring it as best I could. Seeing where our food comes from was really special. It pushed me out of my usual comfort zone and taught me so much.

What was the biggest learning you took from the masterclass with Ember and Oak, and how do you think it’s going to influence your cooking moving forward?

Definitely using every part of the animal and really thinking about how to taste, layer textures and build depth of flavour. That idea of making every element intentional really stuck with me, and I know it’s something I’ll carry forward.

Looking back at your Taste Master journey, what are you most proud of?

I’m most proud that I stayed true to myself and kept telling my story through my food. The one moment that will stay with me when I think about my time in the competition is when I won the game day snacks challenge. That moment was a turning point for me because it made me realise I am so much more capable than I thought and I need to be more confident in myself.

Your story, especially your dream of becoming a full-time baking content creator and sourdough teacher, really resonated with viewers. What’s next for you on that journey?

I want to keep building my content and teaching around sourdough and seasonal baking. I love helping people feel excited and confident in the kitchen. I’d love to keep sharing that passion online in a way that feels real and fun.

Your love for sourdough is such a unique and personal part of your culinary identity. Where did that passion first begin, and what drew you to it?

It started as a way to slow down and challenge myself to an artisan craft. Sourdough taught me patience and how to listen instead of just controlling. I fell in love with the process and it’s now such a big part of my life and identity.

Lastly, how do you feel this experience has changed or shaped you both as a cook and a person?

I think you can really see on the show how I evolved and came out of my shell. I slowly started believing in myself more and more, and that’s been the biggest gift. As a cook, I’ve become braver and more creative. As a person, I feel stronger and more grounded. This whole journey showed me that real growth happens when you step into discomfort and just go for it.

Catch new episodes of ‘The Taste Master SA’ every Tuesday at 19:30 on SABC 2, with repeats on Wednesdays at 13:00 and Sundays at 16:00. For more information, visit www.thetastemaster.co.za and make sure you follow The Taste Master SA on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.