#Newsmaker: Harmony Katulondi on his new gig as host of The Taste Master
6 Nov 2019
Former presenter on Top Billing, which has just ended its run on screen, Harmony Katulondi has been announced as the host of SABC 3's new reality show, The Taste Master.
The show will feature aspiring, undiscovered chefs, who are invited to audition for the gig of a lifetime. South Africa’s hottest culinary professionals will be put to the test with a series of gruelling tasks that will test their limits as they battle it out in the hopes of becoming the resident chef on the channel’s popular variety show, Afternoon Express.
This will be Katulondi’s first solo presenting gig. Here, he lets us in on what excites him most about this new career opportunity and how it feels to be part of The Taste Master team.
Congrats on the new show. How do you feel about it?
Thank you, I’m pretty excited! Firstly because I love food and secondly because I get to be a part of making someone's dream come true. It's also such an honour to be hosting the show, and I know we're going to have a great time!
Why do you think this show was needed and why did you want to be a part of it?
Giving opportunities to people and opening up the industry is always needed. And the best part is that everyone who's part of the show will be put through challenges – which put the contestants in positions where their skills and talents are pushed to the next level.
What excites you most about this show?
Apart from the food? Seeing people's passions and gifts come to life as they strive to become the ultimate taste master and get a place on Afternoon Express as the new resident foodie. I'm most excited to see someone achieve their dream!
What do you love most about your career?
What I love most about my career is the fact that I'm in a position that inspires and motivates people. I'm in a career where I can more positively impact and influence others. I also get to experience what the world has to offer and bring you insights into the lives of those who started out from different backgrounds and managed to turn their circumstances into success.
Any career highlights you’re particularly proud of?
Some of my highlights include, winning the Presenter Search On 3 and becoming a Top Billing presenter.
Making it into the Forbes 30 under 30 in 2019. Co-writing a script for a short film and it winning a Safta, being part of Marvel’s Black Panther movie campaign and working with incredible brands.
What are you most looking forward to/enjoying so far?If this is where God had me start, I'm pretty excited about the doors that will open next. Also, I’m not just a creative or in the media space so I have a lot to look forward to.
What’s at the top of your to-do list (at work)?
Well, at this particular moment, The Taste Master is at the forefront so I'm just brushing up on some of my cooking skills and techniques (the one or two that I have hahaha!).
What are you currently reading/watching/listening to for work?Lorna Maseko has a cookbook out at the moment so that's what I'm paging through. I'm also watching some cooking shows here and there just to get more familiar with the environment.
Tell us something about yourself not generally known?
I love languages, so I'm trying to learn Spanish... Gracias.
Unfortunately, auditions for the reality show have closed. The Taste Master will premiere on Tuesday, 12 November at 7.30pm on SABC 3. Connect with Katulondi on Twitter and Instagram and for news and updates follow The Taste Master show on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter or visit their website.
