In a video posted on social media, Malaysian-American MasterChef contestant Jaime Tan addressed the controversy, which emerged after she prepared ‘roti canai’ served with Malaysian curry, coconut rice and a cucumber-pineapple salad during a challenge on the cooking competition. — Screengrab from social media (New users only) It's tax relief season! Get up to RM300 when you save with Versa! Plus, enjoy an additional FREE RM10 when you sign up using code VERSAMM10 with a min. cash-in of RM100 today. T&Cs apply. By Malay Mail Wednesday, 10 Jun 2026 4:54 PM MYT KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 — Malaysian-American MasterChef contestant Jaime Tan has apologised after drawing criticism from viewers for pronouncing roti canai as “roti kanai” during a recent episode of MasterChef: Global Gauntlet.In a video posted on social media, Tan addressed the controversy, which emerged after she prepared roti canai served with Malaysian curry, coconut rice and a cucumber-pineapple salad during a challenge on the cooking competition.Despite the backlash over her pronunciation, Tan’s dish impressed celebrity chef and judge Gordon Ramsay, helping her secure the challenge win for Team Asia-Pacific.“I’m addressing the roti canai scandal,” Tan said in the video.“For context, I won last week’s MasterChef challenge, but a lot of people are mad at me for pronouncing roti canai wrong. It makes me sad to disappoint so many South-east Asians.”She acknowledged the significance of the dish to many people and apologised for the mistake.“I know how important it is to people, so I just wanted to say I’m sorry.“It was not intentional at all. I do not mean to misrepresent a national dish on television.“So I’m sorry, and it was a mistake.”Tan said she now knows the correct pronunciation and explained that she was raised in the United States rather than Malaysia.“I wasn’t raised in Malaysia. I’m Malaysian-American, and we do not have many Malaysians here.“My dad is from Johor, and both my grandparents even had a kopitiam before they passed away.”She added that her Malaysian heritage was an important part of her experience on the show.“I feel strong roots to Malaysia, and feeling like I was carrying that or representing Malaysia on the show was just so meaningful to me.“So of course I’m upset at myself.”Tan ended the video with another apology and a light-hearted remark.“Much love to Malaysia. And I’m sorry I butchered roti canai.“And guys, I might not be able to say roti canai properly, but I can open a durian with my bare hands. And I think that’s pretty Malaysian.”