Sponsored by Pick n Pay, and set to launch on SABC3 on 13 September, Bonello will be selecting 15 teams of two contestants each, consisting of a braai master and a braai buddy, to join him in a gruelling 52-day culinary adventure that includes 13 location-based challenges, covers 8 000kms and culminates in one team winning the prize of R500 000 cash, a car, and the title of South Africa’s 'Ultimate Braai Master'.

With five seasons of Cooked and four best-selling cook books under his belt, Bonello is proud to be presenting and producing a local reality TV series that will showcase the beauty, diversity, unique flavours and local delicacies that characterise some of South Africa’s best off-the-beaten track locations.

“But this isn’t going to be a picnic,” he warns. “To earn the 'Ultimate Braai Master' title, teams will have to sign up for a 52-day road trip, during which time they’ll be expected to occasionally catch their own food, source their ingredients under the toughest conditions, and cook to a standard of culinary excellence that will thrill our judges and raise the bar on the kinds of meals that can be produced on an open fire.”

The competition is open to all those food lovers who consider themselves above average cooks, aged 18 years and older, with a valid driver’s license. Aspirant braai masters must enter online via www.ultimatebraaimaster.com by no later than Monday, 27 April. Short-listed entrants selected from the online entries will be put through their paces at three regional auditions in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg in May, where Bonello, together with Ultimate Braai Master judges will select the final 15 teams.

“Whether you’re a student, a professional, retired or simply looking for the next big challenge, the Ultimate Braai Master will put your passion for cooking on an open fire to the test and have contestants creating and reinventing the best braai-inspired dishes ever seen in a reality TV series,” concludes Bonello.

Entries open on Monday, 26 March and close on Friday, 27 April. Filming will start in July with the winning team announced in the final episode of Ultimate Braai Master, which will be screened on SABC3 on 6 December.