Food has a unique ability to transcend boundaries, connecting us to different cultures and opening doors to new experiences.
For Amina Elshafei, a renowned contestant from seasons 4 and 12 of MasterChef Australia, her culinary journey has always been about enriching food lovers with a variety of flavours and a generous dose of culture, stemming from her Korean and Egyptian heritage.
The hijab-wearing chef based in Sydney made a significant impact with her participation in one of the world’s most popular reality cooking competitions, capturing the hearts of many not only for wearing her heritage on her sleeve, but also for her warmth.
Recently, this celebrity chef was a special guest at the Australian High Commission to Brunei Darussalam’s open house event, where she prepared some dishes from Down Under. The Bulletin had the opportunity to catch up with Elshafei during her brief visit to the Sultanate.
“I’ve heard of Brunei because I’ve travelled to Malaysia quite often. To be honest, I never thought of Brunei as a holiday destination, but this (visit) was such a great opportunity to actually discover the country,” said Elshafei.
Upon arriving, she was touched by the Sultanate’s warm hospitality, describing it as a very family-oriented and family-friendly country. She also noted the unique open house culture that takes place in Brunei every Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
“It’s really interesting to understand the concept of the Bruneian open houses, and I think, really lovely… I understand and I see the attraction of the open house, that closeness, that bond that is created”.
While here, Elshafei had the opportunity to tour the water village and visit the mangroves.
She expressed her excitement at seeing the proboscis monkeys, which are endemic to Borneo.
One of the highlights of her trip was spending a day with culinary students from the Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE), who assisted in preparing the ingredients for the dishes Elshafei cooked for the Australian High Commission open house.
For the event, Elshafei’s two dishes showcased coconut and Australian beef. She used coconut to prepare a dessert dish featuring coconut macaroons, chocolate and Australian macadamia nuts.
Additionally, she prepared bibimbap, a traditional Korean rice dish topped with various proteins and vegetables.
Reflecting on her MasterChef Australia experience, Elshafei emphasised how food offers not just an opportunity but also a glimpse into diverse cultures and their cuisine.
“I’ve really enjoyed the aftermath of the show; it’s opened up many opportunities for me.
My motivation for participating was more about promoting cultural and food education rather than pursuing restaurant work. I don’t want to do any of that”.
Balancing her roles as a celebrity chef, part-time paediatric nurse, and mother of two, Elshafei revealed while cooking had always been her passion, she never considered pursuing it professionally.
“I never thought of doing the show, but my sister pushed me a little. She encouraged me a lot, and I don’t regret it at all. I’m very grateful for the experience. Being half Egyptian and half Korean, MasterChef provided a platform for me to showcase the food I grew up with.”
Currently, Elshafei juggles multiple roles as a mother, nurse, chef and educator, offering food classes across Australia and creating recipes for various companies.
Her journey started with the bold decision to pursue her love for food, even without formal culinary training. In light of her success, she also encouraged those sharing her passion to embrace it fully and follow their hearts.
“I believe it’s crucial to pursue your passion, follow your dream, and do what you truly want. I’m a home cook, not a professional chef, and that passion continues to drive me.
“The beauty of food is that there’s always more to learn. It’s a never-ending journey of discovering other cultural foods, learning techniques, and exploring ingredients. Enjoy the process; food is always better when prepared with patience and love.” – Rokiah Mahmud
