A Malaysian contestant on MasterChef Season 16 in the US, also known as MasterChef: Global Gauntlet, faced a tough challenge after winning an earlier round and choosing to prepare an “ambitious” local dish that is loved by Malaysians nationwide.
In a clip from the Home Depot-themed episode shared by @masterchefonfox, Jaime Tan decided to make roti canai served with Malaysian coconut curry, coconut rice, and a cucumber and pineapple salad, a dish she said was inspired by her family and cultural roots.
Malaysian contestant’s roti canai earns top-dish recognition
In the video, Jaime admitted that choosing to make roti canai was a risky move for the challenge, as the dish usually requires several hours of resting and preparation.
Despite the challenge, she remained confident in her choice and was determined to complete the entire dish in under an hour.
“This dish means so much to me. I have to win this challenge for my dad. But there are so many components that I need to get right, and I’m freaking out because of the limited time I have to get everything done,” she said.
Jaime later described roti canai as ‘a flaky flatbread” that is commonly enjoyed in Malaysia while presenting her dish to the judges.
Despite being pressed for time, she successfully pulled off the dish, which went on to impress the judges, including Gordon Ramsay. Her creation was eventually named one of Team Asia-Pacific’s top dishes.
A tribute to her father
In a separate video posted on her Instagram, where she recreated the dish, Jaime reflected on the experience and said that bringing back a dish so closely tied to her father was a meaningful journey that made her feel proud of herself.
“The episode was Home Depot-themed, and it reminded me of my dad. He worked at Home Depot my whole life and made this curry.
“I learned that cooking isn’t about being perfect. If I can get close to recreating what my dad gave to me, then I can finally be proud of myself,” she wrote.
Jaime and her dad
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Also read: M’sian Born Masterchef Wins Champion of Champions Title with Claypot Chicken Rice & Ais Kacang
