Maya Jama said she was enjoying a food tour of restaurants in South Africa's “gourmet paradise” as she prepares for the launch of Love Island All Stars.
The presenter and radio DJ, 29, has posted pictures of her meals in the Stellenbosch wine region and was spotted on a girls' night out on Wednesday.
“It was all wonderful,” she told Web. “I love the food and the country.”
Maya, who is known for sharing snaps of herself enjoying good food, also told her three million Instagram followers: “The food in South Africa is 10/10 every time.”
The Love Island host, who is dating rapper Stormzy, dropped cryptic hints that the star will be joining her in the days leading up to the show's launch next week.
Maya Jama told Web she is enjoying a food tour of restaurants in South Africa's “gourmet paradise” as she prepares for the launch of Love Island All Stars on January 15
Maya regularly shares snaps of herself enjoying good food on Instagram (pictured eating for a BeatSquad YouTube video)
Maya posted a steamy photo of herself on Instagram on Wednesday with the message, “Calm before the… dun dadadada,” leading fans to speculate that she meant “Calm before the… Stormzy.”
As she settles into her plush winery villa, overlooked by the region's mountains and complete with its own swimming pool, she has wasted no time in enjoying the best food.
After sunbathing in her colorful bikini one afternoon in blistering summer temperatures, she revealed: “I tan in 0.2 seconds.”
She joked with her fans, adding: “My hair always gets lighter in the sun.” “I have the pool to myself and today is a day off, before you ask… Love Island starts soon though – just to top up my tan .”
Maya also had a lot of fun on her evenings and was dressed to the nines before heading out to the region's best restaurants.
She enjoyed the cuisine of the lavish Delaire Graff Estate, which even has its own diamond dealer along the way.
The restaurant management says it combines innovative cuisine with award-winning wines.
“Dining at Delaire Graff is a sensational experience,” claims the restaurant. “Our two restaurants transform the freshest seasonal ingredients into accomplished, artful dishes set against the backdrop of the iconic views of the Cape Winelands.”
Maya Jama looked incredible as she enjoyed a girls' night out in South Africa on Wednesday
As the evening temperature dropped, Maya changed into a brown Adidas top with the signature three blue stripes
On Wednesday evening, the Bristol-born star was at the Tuk-Tuk Microbrewery restaurant and bar (pictured) in Franschhoek with her agent Issy Lloyd and a friend
Maya and her friends and TV colleagues ate a variety of dishes, including lamb shanks, octopus, zucchini and ox tongue, at several luxury restaurants.
On Wednesday evening, the Bristol-born star was at the Tuk-Tuk Microbrewery restaurant and bar in Franschhoek with her agent Issy Lloyd and a friend.
From her trip to South Africa, she said she will regularly enjoy “girls nights out” and enjoy the famous vineyards.
As they drank beer, white wine, fruit juice, and soda, Maya picked up her phone and slipped outside to make a call.
As she returned, a passing guest walking through the busy courtyard accidentally knocked over her table and spilled drinks on Ms Lloyd – whereupon Maya helped her dry her leg.
Later, Maya, wearing a white sundress and mules, smiled for photos and her friend laughed and said, “Make sure you take a nice photo.”
Maya laughed as she added that she had jokingly posted on Instagram that she would soon have her own reality show starring her agent.
Later, the trio went to another outdoor bar and enjoyed a drink under an umbrella before heading out for dinner.
As the evening temperature dropped, Maya changed into a brown Adidas top with the signature three blue stripes.
Maya has said she will host Love Island for as long as it lasts on screens – calling it her favorite job ever (pictured on the show in July 2023)
Next week she begins presenting Love Island, which she describes as her “favorite job ever”.
The TV presenter became the face of the ITV2 dating show when former presenter Laura Whitmore left in 2022 after three series.
In addition to hosting this year, Maya also took care of the casting by helping the producers select the cast.
She recommended asking Season 1's Hannah Elizabeth to return for another chance at love, a decision that paid off as she agreed to take part again.
The series will feature Love Island alumni continuing their search for their dream partner.
However, the spin-off Aftersun will not air, meaning Maya will be able to stay in South Africa throughout the show rather than having to fly back to London during the five-week series.
She said of the shakeup: “I'm doing interviews as they go… with this new exit interview format, I feel like you're going to feel the raw emotions. “I'm really excited about that.”
Elsewhere, Maya promised she'll have some “good looks” in store when she enters the villa after wowing viewers with her previous racy ensembles.
The latest series brings back former contestants and the full cast includes Georgia Harrison, Toby Aromolaran, Kaz Kamwi, Chris Taylor, Georgia Steel, Anton Danyluk, Hannah Elizabeth, Jake Cornish, Demi Jones, Luis Morrison, Liberty Poole and Mitchel Taylor.
LOVE ISLAND ALL STARS: MEET THE CAST
Liberty Poole
AGE: 24
SERIES: 7
Why are you returning to the Love Island villa? I have much more confidence and know exactly what I want from a relationship. I just want to have fun and meet a lovely boy.
How will you feel if you run into an ex in the villa or someone you've dated since appearing on the show? It's always going to be awkward isn't it, it's always going to be weird to see someone you've been with being with someone else. I wish my ex-partners nothing but the best. I will focus on my own journey.
Kaz Kamwi
AGE: 29
SERIES: 7
Why are you returning to the Love Island villa? To be completely honest, I really want to find love.
I had a great time last series, but I want to have an even better time.
How will you feel if you run into an ex in the villa or someone you previously dated from the series? The thing is: I'm a bad guy, so I'm going to handle this with as much grace as possible.
Georgia Harrison
AGE: 29
SERIES: 3
Why are you returning to the Love Island villa? This is the last year of my 20s so I want to go to the villa, have fun and hopefully meet someone I can fall in love with. I am lucky in the sense that I have everything I could want in my life, apart from love.
If you had to pick your top Islanders from Series 1 to 10, who would they be and why? Chris Taylor, he is hilarious and the main thing that attracts me is a man who can make me laugh. What a funny guy and like I said, I'm looking for someone to do TikTok with so I think he's up for something like that!
Demi Jones
AGE: 25
SERIES: 6
Why are you returning to the Love Island villa? I have lost a lot of self-confidence over the last few years due to my health problems, but this year I trained in the gym, found my self-confidence and got it back. So, let's find a man!
How will you feel if you run into an ex in the villa or someone you've dated since the show? It will be interesting to see if old flames are rekindled. Of course, people cross paths a lot on Love Island and believe me, I have a few paths!
Hannah Elizabeth
AGE: 33
SERIES: 1
Why are you returning to the Love Island villa? I'm returning to the Love Island Villa because I did it eight years ago and what an opportunity I never thought I'd get again. I'm not very good at finding love, but I had fun the first time, so I'll have fun again.
You got engaged last time on the show. Do you think there could be wedding bells again this time? Absolutely not, not in Villa No. Maybe when I get out, but I have to give it some time.
Georgia Steel
AGE: 25
SERIES: 4
Why are you returning to the Love Island villa? I'm 25, I have a house, a cat, a nice car – I have everything in life except a boyfriend, so why not just go for it.
You were brave and honest when you spoke openly about being cheated on by a former partner. How has this experience affected the way you approach dating now?
I now take this experience as a really positive reflection. I look at it as something I had to go through to become stronger and learn things in life so I can learn what I want from my next partner.
Jake Cornish
AGE: 26
SERIES: 7
How will you feel if you run into an ex in the villa or someone you've dated since appearing on the show? Well, there is only one and that is Liberty. There has never been any bad blood between us and everything happens for a reason. In the end we just become two different people.
What will you do differently this time? When it comes to other people's opinions, I am no longer indecisive. This is my way of life now, so I will adopt that into the villa.
Toby Aromolaran
AGE: 24
SERIES: 7
Why are you returning to the Love Island villa? If I'm single and Love Island is a chance for me, how could you turn down the chance to find love again?!
You had a long-term relationship with Chloe Burrows. How do you think she will react when she hears that you are going to the villa? I don't know how she would take it. We will always love each other and I think she would wish me good luck as I would definitely do the same.
Chris Taylor
AGE: 33
SERIES: 9
Why are you returning to the Love Island villa? The last time I was there was only 15 days, so I want to do it again and enjoy it all again. I'm 33 now and making progress slowly – I'm getting ear hair! It would be nice to have a girl to trim my ears!
How was the Barbie movie made? I was invited to an afterparty by Margot Robbie and ended up at an afterparty with her. I panicked and started talking to her just because I was having really stupid conversations. I can only assume that my silly conversation made an impression on Margot Robbie. 18 months later I received an email from Warner Brothers asking if you would like to try out for the role of Ken – it was a whirlwind of emotions.
Luis Morrison
AGE: 29
SERIES: 1
Why are you returning to the famous Love Island villa? It was the best experience of my life. I've found love in the villa before and who knows if I can find love there again?
What will you do differently this time?
I'm much older and wiser, so I know what I'm getting myself into. I don’t have a game plan at all – I’m an open book, so I’ll go with the flow and see what happens.
Anton Danyluk
AGE: 29
SERIES: 5
Why are you returning to the Love Island villa? For me it was a piece of cake. I got the call and it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and probably the best summer I've ever had in my life. Getting the chance to do it twice will be incredible.
Why do you think the Love Island Villa is the perfect place to find love?
I think this time things will be different on Love Island: All Stars as we all understand what it's like to go on Love Island and the only thing missing now is finding a partner.
Mitchell Taylor
AGE: 27
SERIES: 10
Why are you returning to the Love Island villa? I think I went in with my heart and soul the first time and got hurt, and this time I'm just going in to have fun and when a connection is made, a connection is made.
Over the summer you were given the name “Messy Mitch” and a name that you made your own. Can we expect more of this in the series? To be honest, I don't really plan on being Messy Mitch. It just depends on what day of the week it is. I wear my feelings on my sleeve and what you see is what you get. I'm very honest and very opinionated and I think people like me for that. If I don't agree with something, I won't hold back.