TV Chef Mynie Steffens Dies in Helicopter Crash in South Africa

Mynie Steffens — a cookbook author and cooking show host — is dead after her helicopter flew into powerlines and crashed into a South African farm … according to multiple local reports.

The beloved TV chef died Monday … she was flying the chopper over her own farm and spraying pesticides on her oranges, according to the outlet Cape Argus.

Steffens reportedly flew into powerlines just before 8 AM local time before the helicopter went down … which ended with the craft “substantially damaged due to impact force,” according to the country’s Accidents and Incidents Investigations Division.

Steffens rose to prominence on the “Speel Met Vuur” show — which shares its name with a cookbook she wrote. She cohosted the show with her childhood pal Aldi van der Walt, who called Steffens’ death a “massive shock” and “tragic loss” in comments to reporters.

Van der Walt adds, “She had patience and kindness coupled with humour, and that made her irresistible to people. I will miss my friend. Her absence will be felt by many.”

Steffens was 43.