VietNamNet Bridge – Winner of the cooking reality show US Master Chef Christine Ha was the special guest at the launch ceremony of the Vietnamese version of the competition in HCM City on Thursday.

Cooking with passion: Christine Ha, in a traditional Vietnamese ao dai, talks to contestants at the launch ceremony of MasterChef Viet Nam in HCM City on Thursday. — Photo hn.eva.vn

A visually impaired woman, Ha conquered the tough judges with her great passion for cooking as well as her Vietnamese food creations to win the title last September.

Speaking at the event in Viet Nam, Ha said she was very proud to be the first Vietnamese-American cook to win US Master Chef.

“I’m here today to share that pride with the contestants of MasterChef Viet Nam,” said the graduate from the University of Houston in Texas.

Ha also offered advice to the Vietnamese contestants: “Cook with passion. Your food doesn’t need to be a complicated creation, but it has to express your passion. It is the main thing that can conquer the judges.”

A MasterChef Viet Nam contestant said that Ha’s presence had encouraged him and his competitors.

During her visit to Viet Nam, Ha also prepared 100 Vietnamese dishes with the help of her associates as a way to pay tribute to her native home.

The 34-year-old woman revealed that her debut cookbook – part of her prize – will be launched in May in the US.

The 20-episode MasterChef Viet Nam will be on TV screens every Friday night at 8pm from March 8. The winner will receive VND500 million (nearly US$24,000) and a cookbook contract.

Source: VNS