After winning the “World Cup Cookoff” challenge on Season 16 of MasterChef, also known as MasterChef: Global Gauntlet, with her Malaysian-inspired dish, Jaime Tan found herself at the centre of online criticism over her pronunciation of Roti Canai, which she mispronounced as “Roti Kanai” on television.
The 27-year-old Malaysian-American later addressed the backlash through a video posted on her Threads account on Tuesday (9 June), offering a heartfelt apology to those who felt disappointed.
A heartfelt apology
Jaime explained that the mispronunciation was unintentional and acknowledged the cultural significance of the beloved Malaysian dish. She shared that she now understands the correct pronunciation and never intended to misrepresent Malaysian cuisine on international television.
“It makes me sad to disappoint so many Southeast Asians. I didn’t mean to misrepresent a national dish on television. I know how important it is to people, so I just wanted to say I’m sorry,” she said.
Reflecting on her roots, Jaime revealed that although she was not raised in Malaysia, her father is originally from Johor and her late grandparents owned a kopitiam (traditional coffee shop). Representing Malaysia on the global stage was deeply meaningful to her, making the criticism particularly difficult to process.
“Representing Malaysia on the show was just so meaningful to me, so of course I’m upset with myself,” she admitted.
Taking risks under MasterChef pressure
She also opened up about the emotional moments viewers saw on screen. Jaime admitted she knew her roti canai was far from perfect, especially given the challenge of preparing it within the competition’s tight 60-minute time limit. Traditional roti canai dough typically requires hours of preparation and often rests overnight to develop its signature texture.
Despite knowing the risks, Jaime chose to showcase the dish anyway, seizing the opportunity to celebrate Malaysian food and culture.
In her video, she acknowledged that the criticism had affected her, noting that she had already been her own harshest critic. Still, she expressed gratitude for the support she had received and reiterated her love for the country.
“Much love to Malaysia. I’m sorry I butchered Roti Canai.”
Ending the video on a light-hearted note, Jaime joked that while she might not have pronounced “roti canai” correctly, she could still crack open a durian with her bare hands, something she considered a uniquely Malaysian skill.
What do you think of the whole thing? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Also read: Flavoured Roti Canai! This Place In Kuala Selangor Serves Rainbow Roti Canai At RM1.50 A Piece
