INTERVIEW It will be the ‘Battle of the Causeway’ tonight as Malaysian Marcus Low faces off in the final challenge to vie to become the first Masterchef Asia. From three finalists, the inaugural Masterchef Asia comes to the final curtain with Low, the sole Malaysian representative, walking into the finale with Singaporean Woo Wai Leong.
Low, 24, was among the three Malaysians in the 15 finalists of Masterchef Asia and made his way to the final two spot last Thursday, during the airing of the Top 3 with Leong, a 27-year-old lawyer from Singapore.
Speaking to Malaysiakini , Low was excited and proud to be the Malaysian representative in the finale.
"Firstly I'm excited, I'm happy and I'm thrilled to be able to be cooking for the finale! Not to mention being a Malaysian just further cements us Malaysians as being a food nation and great cooks!
"It's not everyday that anyone gets to represent Malaysia on the world stage, so this is an honour for me," Low added.
Asked about his chances of winning the title as the first Masterchef Asia tonight, Low exclaimed that he is always confident, but he could not imagine himself winning the title.
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"I will most definitely be in shock! Then the emotions will probably kick in. I can never really imagine winning this competition. I was always confident I could go far but never to a point where I could see myself winning it. Honestly,” Low told Malaysiakini .
Jasbir Kaur, a 54-year-old homemaker from Malaysia, was eliminated last week in a challenge to create a dish inspired by the mothers of the competitors. Jasbir’s nasi lemak did not make it through to the final round of the competition.
In an interview with Malaysiakini last week, Jasbir said Low was her biggest threat in the competition.
“Most definitely, he (Low) is a fantastic cook and not just with desserts. He is good with proteins as well. You give anything and he will come up with a great dish.
"That’s why I believe that Marcus, for someone who is so young, is way beyond his age in this Masterchef competition,” Jasbir said.
A dish inspired by mum
It was a heartwarming episode last week when the top three finalists were surprised with the presence of their mothers, who were also invited to be judges in the challenge.
Leong’s sophisticated version of lamb rack was judged as the best dish and it booked him a ticket to the finale, alongside Low’s deconstructed modern version of ‘ bubur cha cha ’.
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Asked about meeting his mother for the first time after a long marathon run in the cooking competition, Low said it was one of his proudest moment to have his mother see him to the top.
"I was extremely delighted! It has been months away from my family and I am really a family-oriented person. Not to mention, my mum is such a good cook that for her to be there to see me cook is always a pleasure!” Low said.
Asked his thoughts on Jasbir Kaur, who is aptly known as the ‘Spice Queen’ of the show, Low has high regards for his fellow Malaysian in the Masterchef Asia.
"Jasbir may be 54 (but) do not be fooled by her age! I have seen her do some of the most amazing food in the shortest time possible and her dedication, energy and drive in the competition is on par with the rest of us, if not better!
"I have learned so much from her, not just food-wise but life lessons! She will always be our Mama J!,” Low said.
Will Marcus Low, a Malaysian bank employee, be crowned as the first Masterchef Asia? Watch the two-hour finale at 9pm on Lifetime Asia to witness the final challenge between Malaysia and Singapore.
