Remembering Mynie Steffens: The Culinary Icon Who Ignited Joy in Kitchens and Hearts
South Africa is mourning the sudden loss of Mynie Steffens, the multi-talented pilot, author, and television personality who passed away on Monday morning at the age of 43. The beloved chef and adventurer died in a helicopter crash while performing crop spraying on a farm near Patensie, Eastern Cape.
The Civil Aviation Authority’s Accidents and Incidents Investigations Division (AIID) confirmed that her Robinson R22 helicopter (ZS-DLF) struck power lines before crashing. The impact was fatal, leaving Steffens dead at the scene. Investigators are continuing their work to determine the exact cause of the accident.
A Life of Adventure and Joy
Steffens’ death prompted an outpouring of grief across social media, where fans and colleagues remembered her as a daring and joyful presence.
“Rest in peace, Mynie Steffens. You were adventurous until the very end,” tweeted @gr8ce4race. “With #SpeelMetVuur, you showed us all how to embrace life with curiosity and courage.”
Andrea Von Holdt added, “We are lost for words, Mynie. You were one of a kind,” while Debbie Crosse-Hustler shared her condolences for the aviation community and Steffens’ family.
Her influence stretched far beyond the cockpit. Steffens was a passionate advocate for fire cooking, famously braaiing from the age of ten. Her cookbook, Mynie Plays with Fire (2021), celebrated her love for cooking over open flames, blending recipes with music playlists, themed menus, and fun storytelling to create a full sensory experience.
“Everything tastes so much better when it’s cooked over fire,” she once said. “I find any reason possible to organise an epic, all-day braai.”
Bringing Fire to Screens and Homes
Steffens’ television show, “Speel met Vuur” (“Play with Fire”), allowed her to share her culinary passion with audiences across South Africa. The show combined travel, storytelling, and fire-based cooking, making braai culture approachable, entertaining, and deeply personal.
Her approach went beyond simply teaching recipes. She encouraged viewers to experiment, connect with friends and family over meals, and embrace the joy of cooking as an experience rather than a chore.
“Cooking over fire is about more than the food, it’s about the moments you create and the stories you share,” Steffens often explained.
Through her show and cookbook, she inspired a generation of South Africans to approach food with curiosity, courage, and a sense of play.
A Legacy of Passion and Fearless Energy
Steffens’ adventurous spirit extended into aviation, where she piloted helicopters professionally while maintaining her high-energy presence in the culinary world. Her untimely death is a significant loss to both communities she touched.
Beyond skills and accomplishments, Steffens is remembered for the energy, warmth, and joy she brought into every room — whether behind a braai, on camera, or in the skies. Her legacy lives on through her cookbook, her television series, and the countless South Africans who were inspired to embrace life fully, cook boldly, and approach every day with curiosity.
“Mynie’s spirit will continue to ignite joy wherever her legacy is remembered, in kitchens, in hearts, and in the adventurous paths she dared to explore,” reflected one fan online.
South Africa has lost a culinary icon, a fearless pilot, and a radiant personality, but the lessons she shared to live boldly, laugh freely, and play with fire will remain forever.
Source: IOL
Featured Image: X{@TVwithThinus}
