Interview with Celebrity MasterChef 2023 contestant Jamelia

What made you want to do Celebrity MasterChef?

I wanted to do MasterChef because I want to learn, I also want to be an example to my daughters. I’ve got four daughters and I want to show them what it looks like when you’re courageous. When you feel the fear and do it anyway.

What do your daughters think of your cooking?

My daughters think I’m the best cook in the world! They haven’t tasted much of other people’s food so they’re pretty biased! I love cooking for my kids. I’m of Jamaican heritage and food for us is all about the event. It’s all about community and memories and I really try and emulate that when I’m cooking for my children. Even in the middle of the week I think... how can we make this fun?

What do the rest of your family think of your cooking?

My family are big fans of my cooking. Whenever I’ve got friends or family coming over, they often request one of my dishes. I’d say that I’m quite good at making crowd pleasers and bulk food. But chef, that’s where my confidence is on the floor, because I am definitely not a chef.

What was it like walking into the MasterChef kitchen?

I’d never, ever been so nervous. I had to keep doing really deep breaths. I saw John, Gregg and the MasterChef kitchen. I’m a huge, huge fan of the show – I’ve watched every season, I’ve watched the celebrities, the amateurs, and professionals so to actually be in the kitchen, I said ‘oh my god, I’m in the telly!’

How have you prepared to take on the challenge?

I didn’t do too much preparation. I felt like I have to do what’s authentic to me, and I’m quite confident in my cooking. I’m in no way coming in here and thinking I’m the finished product. As I said, I’m here to learn and I know there’s room for improvement.

What’s your desert island dish?

I make these curry chicken dumplings. I’m of Jamaican heritage and curry chicken usually takes hours and hours to make, but with this version you make the curry chicken out of chicken thighs, and you put it inside the fried dumpling, which is a Jamaican delicacy and honestly, it’s heaven. And it would be amazing to get to showcase them on MasterChef!

What are the three things you always have in your fridge and why?

Garlic, peppers and onion. They’re like the base for every dish. I think they work for everything – chicken, fish, lamb, beef, veg.

Favourite dish to cook at home?

My favourite dish is my ackee pie. The thing that I love the most about it is that it goes so quickly, it’s usually a crowd pleaser.