Cover image via Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp for the latest stories and breaking news.
Making Malaysian kuih is no easy feat, and the latest MasterChef Australia contestants found out the hard way
In the 22 July episode of Season 18, Malaysian-born judge Poh Ling Yeow put the show's top five contestants through a technically demanding Pressure Test inspired by recipes from her childhood.
Contestants Aaron, Annabel, Casper, Petro, and Vinnie were tasked with recreating three beloved Malaysian snacks — curry puffs, kuih lapis, and kuih koci — with elimination on the line.
In a teaser shared by MasterChef Australia, Poh shared that the challenge was about much more than cooking
"These are recipes that have been passed down many generations through my family. I don't have any kids, so I want to be able to teach these skills and hand these skills on," she said in one of the clips.
In the episode, the recipes were so intricate that, unlike most Pressure Tests, Poh personally demonstrated the techniques before the contestants began cooking.
One of the contestants, Casper, said they were fortunate to receive Poh's demonstration, but said it was still a highly technical challenge.
Poh later shared that the Pressure Test was something she had dreamed of for a long time, thanking the show for allowing her to celebrate and preserve the recipes on national television
"Thank you MasterChef Australia for celebrating the cultural cuisines I grew up with and giving me space to share generational knowledge that is unique and fast becoming lost.
"This one's for my migrant peeps, but especially for the Malaysians," she wrote on Instagram.
The Pressure Test also held special significance for Malaysian-born contestant Aaron, who moved to Melbourne at the age of 5
"I would be embarrassed if I was sent home on a Malaysian challenge. I want to make Poh, my mum, and my grandma proud," he said, adding that he had never made the dishes before.
MasterChef Australia Season 18 premiered on 19 April with 24 home cooks competing. The judging panel comprises Andy Allen, Sofia Levin, Jean-Christophe Novelli, and Poh Ling Yeow.
The 53-episode season is currently airing on Network 10 in Australia.
