Today, September 3^rd will see the Asia premiere of the world’s most successful cooking competition, MasterChef.  

Three of Executive Lifestyle’s expert contributors were invited to attend the official press events to witness a powerfully curated panel of judges including Hong Kong culinary star Susur Lee; 3-Michelin Starred chef Bruno Menard; and Singapore-born culinary TV personality Audra Morrice (also MasterChef Australia finalist). Our Singapore representatives are Lennard Yeong (centre), Woo Wait Leong (left), and Sandrian Tan (right).

Executive Lifestyle Experts Liza Rowan of Health and Vitality, Pauliina Salmenhaara of RAW Inside Out and Ying Yih Low of King of Nest at the press and media meet-and-greet with the judges and contestants.

The afternoon event was alight with an energetic buzz as the contestants were given only 30 minutes to prepare a dish to dazzle the judges from a mystery box with only 7 ingredients consisting of:

• 6 Large Prawns With Shells
• 1 Bunch Of Fresh Coriander/Chinese Parsley
• Old Ginger
• 1 Can Of Coconut Milk
• 1 Whole Pineapple
• 2 Daikons
• Cereal

As the contestants dashed here and there to prep, cook, and present their dish, the invited audience watched time tick away as minutes seemed to quicken and the contestants hurried.

As a Chinese delicacy expert, Ying Yih Low was impressed by how immediate the dish was conceptualized in the mind of the contestants, and how they were still able to entertain the judges and audience all while spreading their dish’s drool-inducing aroma!

As time winded down, plates were prepared, sauces were drizzled, and food was carefully placed at just the right angle. The three contestants, proudly representing Singapore, each presented completely unique dishes.

Sandrian Tan prepared coconut ginger prawns alongside a prawn omelette served on a bed of pineapple salsa and pickled daikons.

Woo Wai Leong served butter-poached prawns with pickled daikons and a dollop of lime-coconut cream.

While Lennard Yeong presented the judges with prawn tacos comprised of coconut flatbread, sautéed prawns and pineapples, topped with shrimp mayonnaise and pickled vegetables.

Each of our EL experts has her own write-up of the culinary event, and we’re excited to share with you what they would make with the exact same ingredients! It really is a marvel that the same ingredients can be used in so many tasty dishes with such great variations in only 30 minutes! It is possible for you to make delicious meals for your family with only little time!

For our fine dining lovers, Executive Lifestyle’s woman-about-town Rachel Melville has these great wine pairings for each of the above dishes. Not only were they specifically chosen to complement each dish, they were recommended by Sommelier Gerald Lu, Best Sommelier of Singapore 2010, VP of Singapore’s Sommelier Association and WanderWine active curator! Watch this space for the upcoming article!

Now, what would YOU make with the 7 given ingredients? Become a contributor and share your expert tips!

This article was written by Amber Valencia.

 _{images: www.lifetimeasia.com} 

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