The votes have been counted and South Africa has chosen its favourite contestant from MasterChef Australia 2011. Alvin Quah is here in Durban and you can see him in the flesh at the Good Food and Wine Show until 31 July.
Excitable, affable and unfailingly enthusiastic, Alvin is poles apart from the stereotype of a science expert. After numerous years studying and with a pharmaceutical career behind him, Alvin says that MasterChef Australia has finally given him the opportunity to do something for himself.
“I did well at school because I was scared of being nobody,” Alvin says. “I did a science degree but underpinning it all was my passion for cooking. I’ve been busy chasing what people want me to chase, and putting what I want into the background. It’s bizarre but growing up I had it instilled in me that you’re either a doctor, a lawyer, an engineer or nobody!”
With a Malaysian background, Alvin moved to Australia in his late teens to study at Melbourne University, and says that his cooking is influenced by his Buddhist heritage. The 35 year old lives in Sydney, New South Wales and says that he can’t imagine going back to his old job.
“I’d be really worried about going back to my old job, sitting in front of the computer feeling suffocated and stifled after so many opportunities to be myself and express my creativity.”
Visit the Good Food and Wine Show website to find out when you can see Alvin in action.