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Fusion and fire: Anna Zhang Yilan becomes first Chinese winner of MasterChef Italia with bold cultural blend
Fusion and fire: Anna Zhang Yilan becomes first Chinese winner of MasterChef Italia with bold cultural blend

Malay Mail

time22-04-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Malay Mail

Fusion and fire: Anna Zhang Yilan becomes first Chinese winner of MasterChef Italia with bold cultural blend

MILAN, April 22 — Anna Zhang Yilan has made history as the first ethnically Chinese winner of MasterChef Italia, blending her dual heritage into fusion dishes that won over judges and viewers alike. Zhang, 33, was crowned champion of the show's 14th season in February, earning praise for dishes that seamlessly wove together Italian and Chinese flavours, according to a report published in the South China Morning Post. Born in Milan to Chinese parents from Qingtian, Zhejiang province, Zhang grew up immersed in both cultures. 'I grew up learning the traditions and values of both cultures without distinction,' she said, noting how her identity is expressed in her food. Her winning menu included My Journey, a dish of tofu and shiitake mushroom dumplings with goat cheese sauce and teriyaki-honey glaze, and My Mother's Smile, a dumpling-ravioli hybrid with sea snails, mushrooms, guanciale, and saffron dashi. Though she had long been surrounded by food, it wasn't until the Covid-19 pandemic that she seriously explored cooking. Inspired by Chinese dietetics, she came to see food as a form of therapy and care. Before turning to the kitchen, Zhang spent a decade in fashion as a model and sales manager. Like many in the Asian diaspora, she once struggled with identity, recalling efforts to appear more Western during her youth. 'They gave me a lot of nicknames growing up,' she said. Italy's Chinese community remains small, comprising about 0.5 per cent of the population. Despite the lack of representation, Zhang credits her family's support for shaping her confidence. She gave her €100,000 (RM505,000) prize to her family, calling it a small gesture of gratitude for their sacrifices. Zhang, who recently published her first cookbook Pentole e Zodiaco, Il Mio Gioco da Tavola (Pots and Zodiac, My Board Game), is not planning to open a restaurant immediately. Instead, she envisions creating a wellness-focused community space in Sicily, combining food, art, and cultural activities. 'There are many things that fascinate me about China and I feel the responsibility to communicate it through cooking,' she said.

MasterChef Italia's first ethnically Chinese winner Anna Zhang Yilan on food and identity
MasterChef Italia's first ethnically Chinese winner Anna Zhang Yilan on food and identity

South China Morning Post

time21-04-2025

  • Entertainment
  • South China Morning Post

MasterChef Italia's first ethnically Chinese winner Anna Zhang Yilan on food and identity

Noodles are said to have been invented in China more than 4,000 years ago, with some accounts claiming Marco Polo brought them to Italy during the 13th century. Advertisement If this is true, Italian-Chinese fusion should feel like a natural pairing. However, even slight deviations from Italian recipes have been known to spark fierce objections from traditionalists on the internet and beyond. But for one MasterChef Italia contestant, the courage to blend the two cuisines and break from tradition was the thing that ultimately led her to victory. In February, Italian-Chinese cook Anna Zhang Yilan was crowned the winner of the 14th season of MasterChef Italia. She was the first ethnically Chinese contestant to win the Italian TV cooking contest. Zhang reacts after being announced the winner of the 14th season of MasterChef Italia. Photo: Instagram/annazhang_masterchef14 The 33-year-old is based in Milan, where she was born, and Venice.

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