A cooking show producer says the production team was shocked to discover some of the contestants were using AI to source ingredients.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has disrupted most industries due to its utility.
This technical tool is chef South Africa.
“For the first time, we had to deal with AI. We received the entry forms and had to go through each entry form with a very keen eye and see if the AI form asked the AI to create the recipe or if they created it themselves.” Masterchef South Africa Executive producer Paul Venter said:
Venter was speaking at an exclusive screening of the first episode of the show's fifth season, held at the cosy Durbanville Hills Winery in chilly Cape Town on Thursday night.
A producer for the cooking show said the cast was surprised to see that some of the contestants' applications reflected the use of AI to source ingredients.
“It's an interesting process to see how the terrain changes. You're surprised that this form is the same as this form, and you realize something is wrong. AI has crept in, but we've managed to drive it out,” Venter asserted.
Related article: MasterChef Australia season 15 to premiere this week on M-Net
Pay TV to SABC
The show premiered on public broadcaster SABC 2 on Saturday night after its first four seasons aired on Mnet.
“From the SABC's perspective, we are on a mission to revitalise public broadcasting and elevate the quality that meets the expectations of our vast audience,” said Lara Tuku, the SABC's head of local content.
“S3 [SABC 3] In fact, Saturday night is SABC 3's best performing night, so chef We are entering a slot that is cultivated by content,” Tuk said.
The show continues to feature judges Justin Drake and Zola Nene, who appeared on previous seasons, with new addition chef Katlego Mlambo.
Nene said she appreciated the show's production values.
“I always say comparison robs you of joy but to me the production values… it's a beautiful show. The Australian one is often compared to the South African one and everyone thinks the Australian one is the original but in fact the British one is the original,” the author and chef said.
“It will make anyone who watches it want to cry because it shows us at our best. I think families will love it too. My family aren't foodies but watching MasterChef has made them,” Nene said.
Also read: Onezwa Mbola: “I'm not talking about recipes, I'm talking about patterns to steal ideas”
New season shock
The first episode of the first season had a big surprise in store for the 20 contestants.
The shocking news is that they all wouldn't get to compete in the MasterChef kitchen – instead, the first episode would be the final audition, putting five at risk of going home and not receiving a MasterChef apron.
After racing against the clock to impress the judges, the five home chefs who were shortlisted were rugby coach Lucas Rothman, content creator Lesego, law firm manager Robin Africa, video producer Andrew Nye and environmental activist Ella Bella Constantinides.
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