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Zander Ng

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Zander Ng (born 1988) was the first winner of MasterChef Singapore in 2018. Since then, he has hosted On The Red Dot: Chef's Mission - a Channel News Asia docu-series - alongside cooking workshops and pop-up dining events.[1] Before pursuing his culinary career, Zander had a day-job at an IT firm which he has since returned to after his stint with MasterChef Singapore.[2][3] As of 2020, Zander also runs a recipe blog and is active on Instagram where he has over 6,800 followers.

Zander Ng
Zander Ng.jpg
Born1988
EducationDegree in Commerce (International Business & Management)
Alma materGeelong Grammar School, University of Sydney

Background

Early life & family

 
A younger Zander pictured with his parents. Photo from YouTube video.

Born to a Chinese-Singaporean father and Australian mother,[4] Zander is the eldest of eight children.[5] He has one biological brother, four half-siblings and two adopted siblings.[6]

Education

Zander studied at Geelong Grammar School in Australia before furthering his studies at the University of Sydney where he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce International Business & Management. In university, he was the Chairperson of the International Business Society as well as the Events Director of the Singaporean Students Society.[7]

Culinary career

MasterChef Singapore (2018)

 
Zander winning MasterChef Singapore in 2018. Photo credit to MasterChef Singapore.

In September 2018, Zander appeared as a contestant for MasterChef Singapore.[8] Judged by professional chefs Bjorn Shen, Damian D'Silva and Audra Morrice,[9] the eight-part cooking show featured team challenges, mystery box challenges and a series of pressure tests. Contestants also had the chance to meet internationally renowned chefs like Marco Pierre White.[10] According to data from the Singapore Television Audience Measurement, the first four episodes of the show garnered more than 637,000 views on Mediacorp's Channel 5 and more than 136,000 views on Toggle.[11] The last episode was aired in October 2018.


After rounds of elimination, Zander was crowned the winner of the cooking show. He awarded with S$10,000 cash, household and kitchen-related appliances and S$2,000-worth of supermarket vouchers.[12] Zander's success allowed him to publish an original cookbook and he was also offered internships at Artichoke and Folklore - restaurants run by Bjorn Shen and Damian D’Silva.[13]

Post-MasterChef (2018 - 2019)

After winning MasterChef Singapore, Zander had a working stint at Oso Ristorante - an Italian fine-dining restaurant in Singapore.[14] In November 2018, he was an invited chef at The Fullerton Knight & Stars Charity Cook event where he served wagyu beef rendang. All profits from the dinner were donated to REACH charity organisation.[15] In December 2018, Zander collaborated with former MasterChef Singapore finalist Genevieve Lee and judge Bjorn Shen to prepare a two-day lunch event at Bjorn Shen’s restaurant, Artichoke. Each chef prepared three dishes where Zander served his Ayam Penyet Smashed Burger.[16]

 
Zander pictured with Michael Foong of Jekyll and Hyde. Photo credit to Zander Ng.


In 2019, Zander continued to collaborate with restaurants and bars for pop-up dining events. In January 2019, he hosted a two-day private dining event at Jekyll & Hyde - serving four-course meals to a small group of guests. Only 16 guests were served on each day.[17] That same month, he worked at The Fullerton Hotel to prepare fusion dishes such as Har Cheong Calamari and Buak Keluak Risotto.[18][19] Zander also cooked for private events at The Providore[20] and worked with Oso Ristorante to develop their 2019 Chinese New Year course menu.[21]

Media appearances

Since winning MasterChef Singapore, Zander has hosted one television series alongside being featured on several YouTube channels. The table below showcases some of his media appearances.

Year Partner Project
2019 Buro. Singapore Chefs at Home
Thermomix Singapore Thermomix Singapore Zander Ng's Tagliatelle Recipe Video
Philips The Airfryer Restaurant. Can you taste the difference?
Channel News Asia On The Red Dot
2018 Ryan Sylvia Cooking with MasterChef Champion Zander Ng!
Cold Storage Singapore Cold Storage Christmas Surprise

References / Citations

  1. ↑ Tseng, Douglas. "MasterChef Singapore Winner Zander Ng Has Anxiety Attacks When He Watches Cooking Competitions". 8 Days. August 6, 2019. Accessed on 8 April 2020. Retrieved from TODAY.
  2. ↑ Yip, Wai Yee. “MasterChef Singapore winner Zander Ng cooks with love”. The Straits Times. October 23, 2018. Accessed on 8 April 2020.
  3. ↑ “Zander Ng”. Linkedin. Accessed on 8 April 2020.
  4. ↑ MasterChefSG. "MasterChef Singapore Top 18 Contestants - Zander". YouTube. August 25, 2018. Accessed on 8 April 2020.
  5. ↑ Yip, Wai Yee. “MasterChef Singapore winner Zander Ng cooks with love”. The Straits Times. October 23, 2018. Accessed on 8 April 2020.
  6. ↑ MasterChefSG. "MasterChef Singapore Top 18 Contestants - Zander". YouTube. August 25, 2018. Accessed on 8 April 2020.
  7. ↑ “Zander Ng”. Linkedin. Accessed on 8 April 2020.
  8. ↑ Seah, May. "Arrange food on your plate like a sundial? MasterChef Singapore judges will eat you alive". August 28, 2018. Channel News Asia. Accessed on 8 April 2020.
  9. ↑ "MasterChef Singapore unveils judges lineup". April 18, 2018. Channel News Asia. Accessed on 8 April 2020.
  10. ↑ Tseng, Douglas. “All Hail Zander Ng, The First ‘MasterChef Singapore’ Winner”. Today. October 22, 2018. Accessed on 29 April 2019.
  11. ↑ Genevieve Sarah Loh. “MasterChef Singapore pulls in almost 640,000 viewers since premiere”. CNA LIFESTYLE. September 28, 2018. Accessed on 29 April 2019.
  12. ↑ “IT Manager and season favourite Zander Ng crowned winner of the first MasterChef Singapore”. Mediacorp. Accessed on 29 April 2019.
  13. ↑ “IT Manager and season favourite Zander Ng crowned winner of the first MasterChef Singapore”. Mediacorp. Accessed on 29 April 2019.
  14. ↑ zanderng. Instagram. November 11, 2018. Accessed on 8 April 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/p/BqCSgOuBud1/
  15. ↑ Genevieve Sarah Loh. “Li Nanxing and Singapore MasterChef Zander Ng cook up early Christmas feast”. CNA LIFESTYLE. November 26, 2018. Accessed on 8 April 2020.
  16. ↑ zanderng. Instagram. December 16, 2018. Accessed on 8 April 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/p/BrcUhPdBjs6/
  17. ↑ zanderng. Instagram. December 12, 2018. Accessed on 8 April 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/p/BrSK_pthgfL/
  18. ↑ zanderng. Instagram. January 12, 2019. Accessed on 8 April 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsh-TL5BmL6/
  19. ↑ Ho, Jovi. “MasterChef Singapore Zander Ng whips up heritage dishes at The Clifford Pier”. CNA LIFESTYLE. January 14, 2019. Accessed on 8 April 2020.
  20. ↑ zanderng. Instagram. January 24, 2019. Accessed on 8 April 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/p/BtAMoleBddt/
  21. ↑ zanderng. Instagram. January 30, 2019. Accessed on 8 April 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/p/BtQUGsaB2xw/
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