Budiey
Lifetime brings together 15 aspiring home cooks from across Asia in the first season of this pan-regional, English version of MasterChef Asia. Judged by Hong Kong-born, culinary genius Susur Lee; 3-Michelin Starred chef Bruno Ménard; and Singapore-born, Audra Morrice, a MasterChef Australia finalist. From the MasterChef kitchen to off-site and overseas challenges, the 15 episodes will culminate in one home-cook winning the title of the first ever MasterChef Asia winner.
MASTERCHEF ASIA
Sep 3, Thursdays at 9pm (SIN/HK)
EPISODIC GUIDE
MasterChef Asia S1: Episode 1
Sep 3, Thursday 9pm (SIN/HK)
The premiere of MasterChef Asia begins with the arrival of 15 of the best home cooks in the region who will begin a 15-week journey full of drama and excitement under the guidance of our three world class judges; Audra Morrice, food entrepreneur and former MasterChef Australia contestant; Susur Lee, restaurateur and fusion specialist and finally chef Bruno Ménard, a renowned three Michelin-star chef. The first challenge? To cook a dish that tells the judges who they are.
MasterChef Asia S1: Episode 2
Sep 10, Thursday 9pm (SIN/HK)
In MasterChef Asia’s first offsite challenge, the remaining 14 contestants are divided into two teams to serve five different types of canapés to 80 VIP guests on Asia’s largest observation platform – the Singapore Flyer. Catch the roller coaster of emotions as the contestants aim to impress the guests and the judges in this dramatic and gripping challenge. Each contestant is pushed to the limit. Some cry, some laugh, some get angry, most make great food but one goes home.
MasterChef Asia S1: Episode 3
Sep 17, Thursday 9pm (SIN/HK)
In episode three of MasterChef Asia, our 13 remaining contestants are tasked with two challenges. First is the famous Mystery Box Challenge. Nine ingredients are given and the contestants must make a sweet or savoury dish from at least one of them. The winner of this challenge has the advantage of selecting one of three ingredients that is usually featured in Asian soups. It’s an important decision that determines the key ingredient in their next challenge – the Invention Test. What are the Mystery Box dishes and who makes the most flavourful soup in the Invention Test?
MasterChef Asia S1: Episode 4
Sep 24, Thursday 9pm (SIN/HK)
In episode four of MasterChef Asia, our remaining 12 contestants are welcomed by the judges, Audra Morrice, Susur Lee, and Bruno Ménard at Singapore’s most famous hawker centre, Lau Pa Sat. Three teams of four have to man their own stall and prepare one of the three main ethnic cuisines of Singapore – Malay, Indian and Chinese. Can the cooks capture the flavours of the cuisines and can they swing the public vote in their favour? Find out who captures the hearts of the public and who doesn’t.
ABOUT THE MASTERCHEF ASIA KITCHEN
1) The MasterChef Asia set has many similarities to the Australia set. There is a style guide for some things such as the workstation, the clock and the pantry. Unlike the Australia set, we do not have a restaurant and MasterClass area. The floor paneling and materials are also adapted locally.
2) The set is over 600sqm. That’s about the size of six five-room HDB flats in Singapore.
3) There are 15 workstations, three per row and contestants are stationed randomly in each episode.
4) All contestants are required to wear chef shoes in the MasterChef Asia kitchen to keep them safe in the kitchen. These shoes have stainless steel tips and are slip-resistant. They are also required to wear the iconic MasterChef aprons, which have their names and country flags embroidered on.
5) Food is delivered daily and vegetables as frequently as possible to ensure they are fresh and of the best quality. We use the best quality ingredients on the show and we strive to provide only the best.
6) We have been very conscious about food wastage and so have the contestants. When there have been leftovers, we donated them to a volunteer based, non-profit organisation that provides meals to the under privileged and needy.
THE JUDGES
Susur Lee
From humble beginnings as a 16-year-old apprentice in Hong Kong to his Atlas stride atop the fickle universe of celebrity chefdom, Susur has never deviated from a consuming passion: to create tantalizing dishes that blend textures and flavours in glorious harmony. Balancing the epicurean traditions of China with the classical techniques of French cuisine, Susur improvises a daring and original culinary aesthetic.
Praised as one of the “Ten Chefs of the Millennium” in 2000 by Food & Wine magazine, Susur is still at the top of his game. In addition to helming four restaurants in Toronto – Lee, Bent, Luckee and Lee Kitchen at Toronto’s International Pearson Airport; and overseeing his prestigious TungLok Heen in Singapore’s Hotel Michael, Susur makes numerous television appearances and travels the world as guest chef and consultant.
Following appearances on Iron Chef America, he became a media sensation on Top Chef Masters, where he vanquished 20 competing chefs and crossed filleting knives with his competitor in a kitchen showdown. Susur has also judged on Food Network Canada’s Chopped Canada.
Audra Morrice
Audra is a cook and a mother, best known as one of the favourite finalists in MasterChef Australia 2012 who produced some of the most consistent and amazing dishes on the show.
Born to a Chinese mother and Indian father, Audra spent her formative years in the culturally rich heritage of Singapore.
Audra graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Japanese and spent much of her working career in telecommunications in Singapore, New Zealand and Australia. Despite a very successful career in telco, winning multiple sales awards over the past several years, Audra’s passion was clearly in food and decided to follow her dream and competed in MasterChef.
Currently based in Australia, she runs a successful catering business and regular cooking classes in Sydney and Singapore. Audra also has her own televised cooking show, Tasty Conversations and has recently launched a range of food products that are available in Australia and Singapore. Her highly anticipated cookbook will also be launched later this year.
Bruno Ménard
Bruno was born in France to a family with culinary heritage. His father was a chocolatier and his grandfather, a patissier. He showed a strong interest in cooking at an early age, so his father suggested he take a summer job at a restaurant near his hometown of Tours at the age of 8.
Bruno first went to Japan in 1995, working at a popular French restaurant and moved to Osaka in 1997 to take over the French restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton hotel. He left Osaka in 2001 for the U.S. and after a four-year stint at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Atlanta, moved back to Tokyo in 2005 to head L’Osier.
Since the Michelin Guide began to rate Tokyo restaurants in 2007, L’Osier has received three stars (the top rating) every year. And Bruno has accomplished it all by serving neoclassic French cuisine with a hint of Japanese.
Bruno has spent 20 years establishing some of the best restaurants in Asia and currently runs a top-tier culinary consulting firm in Singapore, where he resides with his wife.
THE CONTESTANTS
Alice Peng
Representing: China
Age: 32
Occupation: Scientist
Alice has a PhD in Material Sciences and Engineering and was working as an Academic Manager when she decided to apply to MasterChef Asia. She enjoys playing the accordion, and is one of seven licensed specialty buskers in Singapore. She also enjoys cooking for her family and friends and hopes to one day own a café serving fusion food. Alice believes that her scientific knowledge can be applied in the kitchen and will give her an edge in the competition.
Priya Barve
Representing: India
Age: 39
Occupation: Marketing Manager
Priya is a globe-trotter, having lived, worked and travelled abroad. Originally from India, it will always be home for her. Priya has great expertise with Indian cooking and enjoys finding new ways to bring her Indian heritage to the plate. She believes her solid foundation in Indian cooking, complemented by the international tastes she has acquired through her experiences living abroad are her strengths. She enjoys entertaining guests with her husband and believes her determination and organization in the kitchen will help take her to the next level in the competition.
Stefan Pratama
Representing: Indonesia
Age: 25
Occupation: Sales Representative
Stefan previously studied in Singapore and the United States, and considers his culinary strength to be in New American cuisine – which he describes as a fusion of classic American cuisine with Asian flavours. Stefan hopes that MasterChef Asia will be the first stop on his road to success, and to one day have his own cooking show and frozen food company.
Vonny Lestari
Representing: Indonesia
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
The youngest contestant in MasterChef Asia, Vonny is currently studying Culinary Business at University and aspires to immerse herself in the other aspect of the industry – cooking as a professional chef. Vonny hopes that her time in the competition will help her improve her culinary techniques and allow her to interact with other like-minded home cooks.
Marcus Low
Representing: Malaysia
Age: 24
Occupation: Banker
Marcus finds inspiration in established chefs, modern and molecular cuisine, and prides himself on his unique ingredient pairings. He hopes that MasterChef Asia will be his introduction to the culinary world, from which he can go on to establish a name for himself. Marcus believes that he thrives under pressure and will enjoy the competition. He also hopes to bring the cuisine of his home country, Malaysia, to the forefront.
Sophia Zulkifli
Representing: Malaysia
Age: 30
Occupation: Homemaker
Sophia lives in West Malaysia with her husband and 2-year-old daughter. She cooks every day and organizes lunches and dinners for her friends regularly. Sophia hopes to one day enter the culinary world as a chef, caterer or a food critique. Her diverse interest in the food industry shows her passion for food and has inspired her to enter MasterChef Asia.
Jasbir Kaur
Representing: Malaysia
Age: 54
Occupation: Homemaker
Jasbir’s love for cooking began when she moved to Sarawak after getting married. The mother of three cooks for her family almost everyday and hopes to impart the skills of traditional Punjabi cooking to the younger generations. She also hopes to get professional accreditation to her cooking skills and prove that home cooks can be highly skilled in the kitchen as well.
Jake Aycardo
Representing: Philippines
Age: 24
Occupation: Analyst
Jake used to prepare lunch for his banking colleagues almost everyday and it was then that he realized banking was not his passion. He decided to quit and pursue a career in the culinary industry and has been applying for an opportunity to work in a professional kitchen. He put those applications on hold when he came across the casting call for MasterChef Asia. Jake was inspired by the way his mother led her life before she succumbed to cancer. He hopes to improve his cooking skills in the competition and one day have a successful career as a culinary professional.
Lica Ibarra
Representing: Philippines
Age: 29
Occupation: Finance Sales Officer
Single mother Lica resides with her parents and her 7-year-old son. She has been in the financial industry for the past five years and besides having a passion for cooking, she is just as passionate in sports. She plays Ultimate Frisbee and football and previously represented the Philippines in the Women’s National Football Team.
Rico Amancio
Representing: Philippines
Age: 31
Occupation: Paralegal
Rico enjoys travelling and has visited more than 20 different states and countries. He also enjoys meeting and mingling with visitors in the Philippines. Rico’s journey with food began with him helping his aunt in the kitchen at the school canteen. He hopes to take his passion in cooking to the next level and wants to give back to the community by offering free culinary workshops to underprivileged children and out of school youths.
Lennard Yeong
Representing: Singapore
Age: 27
Occupation: Engineer
Lennard believes the kitchen is where he truly belongs. In the past five years, YouTube and cookbooks have helped him put together dishes with modernist twists. Lennard prides himself on his keen aesthetic sensibilities and plating skills. Through MasterChef Asia, he hopes to make his passion his career and believes he has what it takes to be a professional chef.
Woo Wai Leong
Representing: Singapore
Age: 27
Occupation: Lawyer
Leong is a self-professed food geek who enjoys reading about food and experimenting with basic ingredients. Leong started cooking in his teens and has participated in cooking competitions in University. He hopes to find fulfillment in a career as a culinary professional and believes he has what it takes to be Asia’s first MasterChef.
Sandrian Tan
Representing: Singapore
Age: 41
Occupation: Homemaker
Sandrian is of Thai-Chinese parentage and her first memories of cooking date back to helping her mother pound spices in the kitchen. Before being a homemaker, Sandrian worked in the semiconductor industry in Singapore for almost 8 years. She now hopes to pursue her interest in cooking and considers herself a strong contender in the competition.
Blanche Chu
Representing: Taiwan
Age: 28
Occupation: Model
Blanche’s grandmother inspired and introduced her to cooking and since then, she has enjoyed cooking for her family and friends. Now the mother of a three-year-old daughter, Blanche enjoys French cuisine and has credited her French mother-in-law with teaching and inspiring her. She is determined to win the competition and hopes to showcase her Taiwanese heritage, as well as her aptitude in French and Italian cuisine.
Doan Phuong Ha
Representing: Vietnam
Age: 31
Occupation: Entrepreneur
A producer by profession, Ha also owns her own creative venue in Saigon, hosting art shows, concerts, flea markets, corporate events and weddings. Despite her exciting and diverse career pursuits, cooking has always been a constant for Ha. Growing up, Ha’s love for cooking was nurtured by the time she spent in the kitchen helping her mother. She hopes to work towards her dream of owning a food truck with her Kiwi fiancé and travelling all over New Zealand in it.
