The dinner table is about to get a whole lot more interesting. Come Dine With Me South Africa is officially returning to BBC Lifestyle (DStv Channel 174) this November for its 11th season, and this time, the show is bringing some serious star power to the kitchen.
For the very first time, the entire season will be dedicated to celebrities, with some of South Africa’s biggest personalities opening their homes, serving up ambitious menus and putting their hosting skills—and egos—to the ultimate test.
And yes, there’s money on the line too. The celebrities will be competing for dinner-party bragging rights and R10,000 for a charity of their choice, but as Come Dine With Me fans already know, fame means absolutely nothing once the scoring begins.
Across six weeks, viewers can expect everything from extravagant dinner themes and impressive culinary wins to kitchen disasters, questionable rule-bending and the kind of awkward moments that make Come Dine With Me television gold. Keeping everyone in check—or rather, roasting them from the sidelines—is the show’s legendary narrator Dave Lamb, whose razor-sharp commentary and perfectly timed shade have become just as iconic as the meals themselves.
This season brings together a diverse mix of personalities from music, sport, television, radio, entertainment and digital culture.
The celebrity guests include Alphi Mkhwanazi, Brent Lindeque, Carol Tshabalala, Holly Rey, Jonathan Roxmouth, Karabo Ntshweng, Karabo Poppy, Lasizwe, Lethabo “LeJoy” Mathatho, Linda Mtoba, Mampho Brescia, Mojak Lehoko, Moshe Ndiki, Moonchild Sanelly, Nianell, Olwethu Leshabane, Phylicity Reeken, Primo Baloyi, Tarina Patel, Tumisho Masha, Vanes-Mari du Toit, Varushka Singh, Yanda Woods and Zandi Nhlapo.
That’s a lot of personalities, opinions and potential kitchen chaos under one roof. Pierre Cloete, Vice President for Africa at BBC Studios, says the celebrity edition is set to take the show’s energy to another level.
“Come Dine With Me South Africa remains one of BBC Lifestyle’s most-loved local productions and this season promises to be our biggest yet,” he said.
The celebrity format, he says, places some of South Africa’s most recognisable personalities in situations they can’t completely control—meaning viewers will get to see them at their funniest, most competitive and potentially most chaotic.
Ryan Deacon, Executive Producer at Rapid Blue, adds that the pressure is even higher this season, with three celebrity guests arriving at each dinner party. From creative attempts to bend the rules and gain an advantage to spectacular hosting moments and the occasional complete disaster, this season has all the ingredients for must-watch television. With reputations, pride and bragging rights on the line, Celebrity Come Dine With Me South Africa is bringing the competition, the comedy and, of course, plenty of shade.
The only question is: Who can actually cook? Who will impress their guests? Who will try to bend the rules? And most importantly, who will survive Dave Lamb’s ruthless commentary? Nna personally, I know maCeleb a Mzansi can’t cook. but legooo!
Celebrity Come Dine With Me South Africa premieres on BBC Lifestyle (DStv Channel 174) from 18 November 2026. The show is proudly sponsored by World of Sports Betting and in association with Sunlight.