Alumna competes on Season 4 of MasterChef Singapore

At Yale-NUS College, students have the freedom and support to create their own unique paths of growth that are not limited to the classroom. This applies even after graduation, and many alumni go on to pursue a plethora of interests within and outside of their careers. Saza Faradilla (Class of 2018) recently competed on Season 4 of MasterChef Singapore, a competitive reality TV cooking show based on the original British MasterChef. Having a day job that is not related to food (she manages community service and diversity and inclusion at the National University of Singapore’s Office of Student Affairs), Saza had just over a year of cooking experience under her belt when she applied and was delighted to have made it past the auditions for the programme.

Read on as she shares more about herself and what influenced her in her journey!

Tell us about yourself, including when you were at Yale-NUS.

I am from the Class of 2018 where I majored in Anthropology. In an ideal world, there are only five things in life I’d love to do: cook, bake, dive, pole and end female genital cutting. At Yale-NUS, I also founded and was president of KidsAccomplish, a student organisation that creates non-academic enrichment classes for upper primary school students. The best part of Yale-NUS was definitely the community, many friends I made in College have become my lifelong friends of today.

When did you begin taking a particular interest in food? How did your time at Yale-NUS College add onto or impact this? 

I have always been a foodie! My sister, who is a role model to me, is a home economics teacher at a secondary school. My fondest childhood memories are baking shepherd’s pie and apple crumble with her annually during my birthday. However, it was only when I had my own space and kitchen that I was able to explore cooking much more. I also volunteered for my neighborhood food rescue initiative. Suddenly, I had a ton of beautiful, organic fruits and vegetables, and I just had to cook them! I especially enjoy cooking for people. Undoubtedly, food brings people together and I witnessed this countless times.

Yale-NUS was where I had the brave space to navigate my identity, gave me the safety net to try new things, and affirmed my efforts. Yale-NUS encouraged me to just go forth and pursue anything I’d like and that includes cooking.

What was your favourite buttery dish or buttery event at Yale-NUS College? 

It’s got to be the “Adlin”! While rushing out essays or catching up on readings there’s something so comforting about a bowl of Indomie, patty and a fried egg.

What prompted you to join MasterChef? 

The decision to join MasterChef was a spontaneous one. I endeavour to try everything in life once! Even though I only started properly cooking last year, I decided why not? What’s the worst that can happen? And indeed my MasterChef experience exceeded not only my own expectations but those of my loved ones too! I came in with the aim of being on one episode, but I managed to get to two!

Describe your experience on the MasterChef arena!

I think I got really lucky with my MasterChef batch. All of them are incredibility talented but more importantly, so generous! It hardly felt like a competition. People would willingly assist one another.

During my second cook for the white apron, I wanted to make “Roti Jala with Asam Pedas”. However, there was no all-purpose flour. There were only fancy flours like semolina, potato starch, corn flour etc. I was really at a loss. One of my competitors sensed my confusion and shouted at me “Just use semolina!”. I trusted her and tried with semolina. The end product was not exactly Roti Jala, but it was still delicious. So I made it to the Top 12!

Even today, we still hang out together. During a potluck, we spoke for three hours about food. I was delighted to find people who love food even more than me! Everyone has been really generous with sharing recipes, tips and advice on food.

What was the next step of your cooking journey, after MasterChef?

In the show, I shared that my cooking dream is to open a pole dance and dinner studio. That still remains. But for now, I will continue with food rescue and cooking five-course meals for my chosen diners.

What are some words of advice that you’d like to share with fellow Kingfishers who may be interested in MasterChef or other competitive reality shows?

Just do it! No harm at all, it is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience.