“MasterChef UK” Judge Gets Roasted For Claiming Malaysian Contestant’s Rendang Wasn’t “Crispy Enough”

Main image via The Star

Recently, Malaysian contestant Zaleha Kadir Olpin was eliminated from MasterChef UK because the judges felt her chicken rendang was “not crispy enough”. And Malaysians are not having it.

Images via Zaleha Olpin’s Instagram

Chef Wan had Zaleha’s back too:

 

A few days ago Kak Zaharah from London who is our NST writer asked me to watch on youtube the new Master Chef UK serie with our Malaysian cook Puan Zaleha preparing her Nasi Lemak and Rendang dish. She then asked my honest comment which many of u have read by now on NST and even Star online. Both judges with little knowledge on how prepare the dish had told Zaleha that her chicken rendang skin was not crispy enough, too much sauce sitting on it at the same time the meat didnt fall of the bones! They were also comment on the Nasi lemak and Sambal which i find to be all unfair comment and a bummer as both judges obviously does not know how the our signature dish should taste like much less how to prepare them. How can a dish which is stew or braised slowly for a period of time like their French Coq Au Vin the braise Chicken in Red wine? She not preparing Duck A L' Orange or Confit D Carnard either that need to have that crispy skin! Due to the wrong reason she was eliminated. Not only those two judges embarassed Zaleha but ruined her participation. Its ok if she lost to the rest for the right reason but its not the case. They should bring her in back again and sincerely appologise back to her in public if Masterchef UK need to restore back his credibility. Hai ya next time if John Thorode and Greg dont understand the dish better not say the wrong thing la. There no such thing as all Sambal has to be fiery hot and Nasi lemak must have less coconut milk and the Chicken Rendang does not belong there, nonsense and rubbish. Torode have filmed in Malaysia before and made Rendang with Kak Ani on his show anyway. Yes judging at Zaleha chicken dish visibily on the screen i must say she can cook it longer if she had the time.But not till it fall off the bloody bone Mr Torode! I was told by a friend this is the same guy that went to make Chili crab dish ke using a Rojak sambal paste on TV as a subsitute. Anyway in 2016 John Torode in his Msian Adventure TV serie went to Langkawi and make the Rendang Itik. Its on youtube does he remember how the dish is made. He should just tell Greg " Blind me shut up your mouth Greg if u have not cook a Rendang! I have made them !🤣"

A post shared by chef wan (@_chefwan58) on Apr 2, 2018 at 5:31pm PDT

Even the British High Commissioner to Malaysia, Vicki Treadell, had something to chip in:

. @MasterChefUK @JohnTorode1 & @GregAWallace #Rendang is an iconic #Malaysian national dish not to be confused with Indonesian options
It can be #chicken #lamb or #beef
It is never #crispy & should also not be confused with the#friedchicken sometimes served with #nasilemak https://t.co/3sCBsgiwgQ

— VickiTreadell (@VickiTreadell) April 3, 2018

In case you missed the drama, here’s a quick recap on what they said.

While tasting Zaleha’s food—she made nasi lemak with rendang, prawn sambal, and the works—judge Gregg Wallace criticised the chicken skin for not being crispy enough. "I like the rendang flavour, there's a coconut sweetness, however, the chicken skin isn't crispy. It can't be eaten and all the sauce is on the skin, I can't eat," he said.
 

via GIPHY

Another judge, John Torode, added, "It hasn't had enough time to cook down and become lovely and soft and falling apart. Instead the chicken is just tough and not really flavoursome.”

Despite so, many people showed their love and support for Zaleha, telling her to ignore the judges’ ignorant comments and keep up the good work!

Image via Zaleha Olpin’s Instagram

So, fret not Zaleha! Although you might not have won MasterChef UK, you’ve definitely won our hearts… and stomachs!

Image via New Straits Times

Article via The Star