KAJAL MAHARAJ

Kajal Maharaj was born in Durban and started her career in the performing arts at the tender age of 5. The actress (film, radio and stage), dancer, model, TV presenter and former beauty queen holds a degree in Marketing and Media and Communications. She believes in living life so that you make every moment count. She is inspired by her family who have supported and allowed her to follow her dreams.

MANISHA PILLAY

"There is nothing like a little Saffron in your wardrobe. It is that one ingredient that brings out the flavour in any experience with a colourful embrace of class and sophistication."

So says Manisha who loves to swim in beds of silk, wear stilettos whilst cooking and take long country drives in vintage cars with a trailing pashmina in the wind. New to Jo'burg, she is carving out a space in the world of fashion and in her world of fun. She is a part time writer for a Durban based life style magazine and she models, whilst pursuing her interests in the fashion arena and completing her Honours degree. She was 2nd princess in Miss South Africa 2007 and featured in many advertising campaigns in 2008.

Now Manisha is about to enter the world of television on Saffron TV, as So Fab's fashion guru!

"Being the Fashionista on So Fab I have entered a world of feminine wonder celebrating all that is beautiful about our guests, and to use clothes to change the way women feel about themselves is to first figure out what women love about themselves."

Manisha describes her personal fashion style as Indo-chic/ Sarah Jessica Parker - and enjoys throwing together unconventional pieces that don't seem to match but suit her personality.

"Our show on Saffron tells a story. On So Fab I have the opportunity to learn, share and celebrate with other women without any of the artifice that exist in everyday society. We can just be women on the show and have fun doing that."

EROUDA IYER

Erouda Iyer started her career in the world of media, when as a graduate fresh from an intensive national certificate programme, she had certain expectations of the industry that she was about to enter. She knew that the work was hard, the hours were long, and the deadlines were oppressive - not to even mention that the pay would barely be enough to keep her from starving.

But, luckily, she didn't scare that easy, and within a year, through sheer determination and sheer willpower she had secured a temporary job at a television production company assisting in the production of promos and inserts for a major television awards shows. The producer was sufficiently impressed to invite her back the next year - this time as the Line Producer! Since then, she has continued to receive work offers from a variety of different sources - almost entirely through word-of-mouth recommendations from colleagues.

She has a genuine passion and enthusiasm for her work and believes that she owes a lot to the industry for turning her into a versatile and capable person. She is really glad that as a fresh faced graduate she decided, despite the odds, to give the world of television her best shot anyway!

So now she is in front of the camera, instead of behind - and with no real acting or presenting experience. Erouda first acting venture was in a film, when she was asked to move from the production side to in front of the camera, and again now by the producers of Saffron TV to look at presenting the Goodies Girl segment of So Fab. She grabbed the opportunity to expand her career experiences - with the belief that "she had nothing to lose and everything to gain".

"I grew up in a small little town people are forced to pass through when heading to the coast called Pietermaritzburg. Made my escape to the big city at the turn of this century seeking fame and fortune. My love for gadgets started when I was around 12 and discovered computers and more importantly TV games like the Nintendo. Since then, it's been a torrid love affair with me losing my heart to a new gadget almost every month if not week."

"With the recent advent in technology its only gotten worse as gadgets are getting more advanced while dropping in price - so how can I say no?"

Gerard is a qualified voiceover artist, an aspirant actor and an author of several short stories, motivational pieces and poetry and hopes to one day finish "that" novel.

"Saffron TV and I - now that's a winning formula!!"

Most recently, Shalandra has been asked to join forces with Sunday Times Extra, writing for their popular Bollywood page. Don't miss his Star Attraction column every Sunday!

What do I believe - "Create your own opportunities"

Favourite Stars - Aamir Khan, Kajol and Bipasha Basu

Favourite place - Singapore

He's young, he's talented and he is becoming the hottest food show host on local television... He's Lish, who also happens to be quite a 'dish', and is the chef and presenter of Saffron TV's foodie programme, aptly named De'Lish.

"I like to have fun when I'm busy in the kitchen. I love playing with fusions, perceptions and ideas when I prepare a dish. There should be different sensations with each bite," says the graduate of the HTA School of Culinary Art who has honed his skills under the tutelage of some of SA's best chefs, including the likes of Arnold Tanzer, Walter Ulz, Wicus Prinsloo and Roberty Knuckey.

It is his grandparents however, to whom he gives much of the credit for igniting this passion for food and cooking in him. "Since I was a kid I've loved being in the kitchen. While my grandmother is an excellent cook, my grandfather, who worked in the restaurant business when I was born in Durban, shared his knowledge of the finer nuances of food and cooking with me"

"He introduced me to haute-cuisine - what was being served in the restaurants of 5-star hotels - and I began creating five-course meals out of ingredients I found in the garden," adds the young culinary whizz.

Lish, however, didn't follow his true passion straight after matriculating, as he first went to study for a BSc in Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences at UCT, but soon realised that this was not his vocation.

Returning to the City of Gold, he was eventually offered an opportunity to study at the HTA School of Culinary Art, which he grabbed with both hands.

Finally Lish was doing what he loved most, and while working on the plans for a new restaurant, another experience came knocking. He was given a call to do a screen presentation for a new food programme on Saffron TV, and as they say, "The rest is history".
"Having my own food show is a dream come true and an amazing opportunity to make a helpful difference in the world," says this talented young man who is set on making a positive contribution to society.