TV chef Mynie Steffens, 43, dies in helicopter crash while crop-dusting

The famous celebrity chef Mynie Steffen has died in a tragic helicopter crash at a citrus farm near Patensie in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Steffens, alongside the helicopter pilot died in the deadly crash on Monday, November 10, 2025, around 7:45 am local time.

The 43-year-old celebrity chef was reportedly flying her helicopter while dousing orange fields with pesticides when tragedy hit.

According to the owner of the Roodegrond Farm, his workers had alerted him to the crash, which had been a frightening ordeal.

However, an investigation continues to ascertain the cause of the smash.

The tragic death of Steffens has left the culinary community in shock as tributes are pouring in.

Mynie Steffens co-anchors the popular cooking and lifestyle program on South African TV.

She hosted the show after reconnecting with a childhood friend.

Her co-host, Aldi Van der Walt, expressed her feelings in a post, saying, “She was struggling to come to terms with the massive shock and tragic loss.”

She continued, “She lived life to the full and had a big heart, gentle soul, the glue that kept people together.”

According to the Accidents and Incidents Investigation Division (AIID), the aircraft crashed into power lines shortly before hitting the ground.

According to the Accidents and Incidents Investigations Division (AIID) (an arm of the South African Civil Aviation Authority), the aircraft collided with power lines shortly before crashing to the ground, which caused substantial damage to the helicopter due to impact force.

Steffens' passion for cooking over fire began when she was just 10 years old.

Steffens had many feathers in her cap: besides pursuing her passion for cooking, she was a trained helicopter pilot, an author of a book, 'Cookbook,' and a television personality.

She combined adventure both in and out of the kitchen.

Steffens’ sudden yet tragic death has left a vacuum in South Africa’s entertainment and culinary world, a blaze of passion extinguished in its prime.