Booted-Out MasterChef Singapore Contestant Didn’t Know Chef Bjorn Shen Called Her Team’s Dish “A Wad Of Wet Toilet Paper” Until She Saw It On TV: “It Was Really Brutal”

MasterChef Singapore judge Bjorn Shen was so appalled by a lacklustre dish on last Sunday’s show that he likened its taste to “a wad of wet toilet paper”.

In Sunday’s episode, the home cooks, split into two groups, Red and Green, were tasked to create a three-course meal made from sustainable ingredients for the zoo’s staff.

The Artichoke chef-owner made the comment after tasting the ‘Flower Crab with Gazpacho Dressing’ appetiser prepped by the Red Team, led by Gooi Jia Yi, the 23-year-old varsity student (majoring in Environmental Earth Systems Science, how apropos) and professional wakeboarder who was granted a stay of execution last week before alongside creative events producer Raj Shagaran Mahalingam.

“Let’s talk about the Red Team’s crab dish with the gazpacho sauce,” said Chef Bjorn. “Not that I’ve ever tasted a wad of wet toilet paper, but I imagine that’s what a wad of wet toilet paper would taste like. I do not ever want to repeat that experience.”

A wad of wet toilet paper, really? Holy smoke, did something traumatic involving a wad of wet toilet paper happen to him recently? Or is this his polite way of saying “this crab tastes like crap”? First, the spit. And now this? Chef Bjorn is fast becoming my favourite judge for all the wrong reasons. (Kidding…no, seriously.)

That said, as funny as that remark was, it was less amusing watching Jia Yi struggling to guide her team members at various stations. Lost, confused and frazzled, she was clearly out of her depth.

Long story short, despite their valiant effort, Red Team lost and they were off to the dreaded elimination round: whip up an sumptuous eco-friendly dish in an hour… using one pan.

Sadly, for Jia Yi, her path to redemption hit a massive roadblock: her herbal frog soup with vegetables and scallops didn’t make the cut.

Here, we catch up with Jia Yi via e-mail to find out how she’s doing after the elimination and what she makes of Chef Bjorn’s “a wad of wet toilet paper” reaction.

8 DAYS: Very early on, you were already singled out by Johnathan as a somewhat weak contender and that was why he saved you from participating in episode 2’s elimination challenge. How far did you think you could’ve gone in the competition?

​​​​GOOI JIA YI: Well, the competition was really, really stiff, and I feel like it could have been anyone’s game depending on the challenge. My target, after getting into Top 12, was to hit Top 6 — the half-way point. So, getting out at Top 10 was a little bit of a bummer for me.

Dental student Johnathan Chew didn’t seem to have a lot of faith in you and Raj; he wasn’t too thrilled to have you both on the Red team, especially with you as the leader. Did you and Johnathan get along?

​Well, let's be realistic. This is a competition and everyone wants to be on the winning team to escape elimination. If I were Johnathan, I wouldn’t be particularly thrilled to have both contestants who were previously in the bottom two to be on my team. I mean, what are the chances, but it happened! It is like doing a group project and you end up with two slackers. Okay, this analogy is a bit too extreme because Raj and I aren’t slackers but you get the gist. But that doesn’t mean we don't get along! In fact, we get along really well and he is one of the contestants I'm closest with.

Chef Bjorn wasn’t terribly impressed with your team’s 'Flower Crab with Gazpacho Dressing'. He said, “Not that I’ve ever tasted a wad of wet toilet paper, but I imagine that’s what a wad of wet toilet paper would taste like. I do not ever want to repeat that experience.” He didn’t make the comment in front of you and the rest of the Red Team. When did you first hear his feedback? Since the dish was a group effort, as the leader, what was your reaction when you first heard the comment?

​​I can’t remember if he said it during the feedback section during the shoots, but it felt like my first time hearing it when I was watching the episode. Certainly, I was very shocked when I first heard the comment, it was very brutal. Come to think of it, I kind of wished we had pivoted a little because when I was done steaming the crabs, they did not seem very fresh. That might have affected the texture as well, but it was a little too late.

So what do you think a wad of wet toilet paper taste like?

I would think it tastes mushy, soft and bland. It’s not something I would want to ever experience.

Before MasterChef Singapore, cooking for you is probably this solitary, therapeutic exercise. But once you’re on the show, cooking becomes this synergetic endeavour, especially during the team challenge. What did you learn about leadership from that episode? Do you think it was too soon for you to lead and that you were way over your head?

​Well, leading is challenging but if you are given the role, you’ve just got to step up! It involves a lot of decision-making and adapting on the spot, and your brain can never rest. Also, [it's important to] check in with your teammates from time to time so you are always aware of the progress of the entire team. Communication is key! I don’t really think you can particularly prepare for leadership. Of course, a supportive team goes a long way as well.

You said you enjoyed your short stay in the competition. But was there also a part of you that was relieved you were out of the competition?

I really enjoyed my stay in the competition. The pressure and stress were there, but still, I enjoyed the challenges posed to us because they were all unique experiences and learning opportunities. I don’t think there was a part of me that was relieved at all when I was out. I mean, yes, the shoots were long and tiring, but they were also the best bonding sessions.

Will you compete on MasterChef Singapore again? 

​If the opportunity presents itself, then yes! It was great fun and I really learnt a lot throughout the show. I am sure I came out a better cook than before the show. Maybe we can have an “All-Stars” season next time, it will be fun and I will be better prepared. :)

What’s next for you?

​Back to honing my skills at home! Coming out of MasterChef Singapore, I realised that what I know of the culinary world is just the tip of the iceberg — maybe the top 1mm only. Also, I’m hoping to raise more awareness of sustainable eating, such as by supporting local produce, aiming towards zero waste, using less meat and more veggies, etc. Beyond that, I guess time will tell!

You were with Raj in the bottom two twice! Tell us the brutal truth: Was Raj, with his loud jokes and cheesy puns, just as annoying on set as he was on TV to the viewer? Did you find his demeanour distracting or did it lighten up the intense mood?

Let's just say​, I guess it is how he wishes to be portrayed on TV. Sometimes during the cook, I did find it distracting — I am sorry, Raj! — but not when I am in my zone.

Watch Episode 4 of MasterChef Singapore Season 3 here:

MasterChef Singapore Season 3 airs Sun, meWATCH and Channel 5, 9.30pm.