MASTERCHEF fans will know that Reading's very own Sandy Tang, 24, made it all the way to the final of the popular BBC cooking contest after showcasing some of her unique culinary talents.
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Speaking to The Chronicle about the reaction to her success since the series ended on Friday, Sandy said: "People have been really positive and supportive - on the night I was bombarded by messages and I still haven't got round to replying to them all!
"It is just such a shame that we are all at home at the moment and can't celebrate properly - it makes it a bit underwhelming.
"After the show stopped filming just before Christmas, I realised how much I love cooking and it would be a shame to stop.
"It is very hard to make a tangible plan at the moment with everything going on - especially in this industry.
"For now, I am doing online recipes on my Instagram."
Sandy believes that witnessing a fatal accident helped give her the courage to enter the BBC1 series and win through to second place.
As 1 of 60 contestants to take part in this year’s show, Sandy revealed the dreadful incident that motivated her to apply to MasterChef 2020.
“I was in the airport on the way home from a nice couple of days on holiday and all of a sudden there was lots of commotion and I saw this person fall through the air and land really close to me," she said.
“It was terrifying and has really made me realise just how precious life is.
“Time is so precious and it has changed the way I have made a lot of my decisions in life, but applying to MasterChef has definitely been the most significant.”
Sandy left her home in Macau, China, to study in England when she was just 13 years old.
Her cooking style and favourite dishes are inspired by her Asian mum and her family in Tonbridge, Kent, who cared for her while she focused on her studies.
"My mum is my biggest fan," she said
"She recorded every episode and she is obsessed!"
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After securing 5 A-levels, Sandy graduated with a degree in electronic engineering at Warwick University, and currently works at a management consultancy on a range of technology projects across the UK.
But it is her culinary skills which have shone on the show.
Having lived in Reading for two years, she spoke about her favourite aspects of the town: "I think Reading is such a great place - we are so close to London.
"My favourite thing is going to the pub gardens in the summer - Reading has some fantastic pubs, I love The Elm Tree."
Like the rest of the country, Sandy is currently staying at home as lockdown continues, and said she is enjoying cooking lots of desserts at this time.
"I have promised my friends that once lockdown is over I'll have a big party and cook them a five - or maybe a seven - course meal" she added.
"I loved being on the show - both judges, John Torode and Gregg Wallace, are brilliant - their tips are so helpful but being on the show makes you realise what great presenters they are as well."
When asked if she is still in touch with the other contestants, Sandy said: "We are - we actually all did a virtual pub quiz last week, it was a lot of fun!
"I just really wish we could meet up properly but once this is over I know we will."
Sandy finished MasterChef 2020 on a high, as she thrilled both the judges and the nation preparing Eastern and Western dishes with a twist.
MasterChef judges Gregg and John gave Sandy a lot of praise for her outstanding eight weeks on the show during the final: “Sandy came in to the competition with a fusion style of her own, it’s different, it’s fabulous and it really works.
“As judges on the show for 16 years we have never seen anything quite like the dishes Sandy produces for us.
"Her inventions seem to be limitless. Sandy is brilliantly different.”
Summing up her experience, Sandy said: "I wasn't expecting when I first applied a year ago to get this far at all - I could never have imagined it. I am so grateful.
"John and Gregg have been brilliant throughout the whole experience and I have made some great friends on the show.
"Although it was challenging it has made me want to continue my cooking and explore new areas, in the hope that one day I can open my own restaurant."
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