Dee Williams

“I’m visiting Sri Lanka this time for a very special collaboration with Isso, to do some filming and visit family and friends”

Today on the Buzz, I speak to another famous face who took Sri Lanka to the world with her cooking on MasterChef. Today I speak to her on what’s cooking with her visit to Sri Lanka and what she has for us. 

1. What brings you to Lanka this year?

I’m visiting Sri Lanka this time for a very special collaboration with Isso and also do some filming as well as visiting family and friends.

2. The MasterChef brand has really helped our local food reach international recognition if given a chance, would you enter that kitchen once again and go through all that pressure?

Yes 100%. MasterChef is a platform that reaches a vast amount of people around the world, so it is a great way to showcase our culture, cuisine and stories. When you think about the pressure of the MasterChef kitchen it still makes me nervous and emotional, but it is worth the risk once again. I have had so many different opportunities to showcase Sri Lankan cuisine not only in Australia and Sri Lanka but also Malaysia and Dubai. MasterChef opened so many different avenues for me and I’m grateful for those. So why not give another good shot at it?

3. What is your opinion of the second runner-up and were you able to meet up with her or would you  do a collaboration sometime?

I have been following Sav on Instagram for a while. Before entering MasterChef, she was already promoting Sri Lankan cuisine through her socials. As a fellow Sri Lankan I’m so proud of Sav. It was an amazing achievement to go so far in the competition. What I love about her cooking style is that she stayed true to her roots and kept presenting Sri Lankan dishes with a modern flair. We have been communicating through Instagram, hopefully we will catch up sometime in Melbourne this month.  I would love to do a collaboration with her if an opportunity arises in Sri Lanka or Australia. 

4. What does food mean to you?

Food, to me, represents much more than just sustenance. It’s a way to experience different cultures, a means of connecting with people, and an opportunity to create and share something meaningful. It can evoke memories, celebrate special moments, and provide comfort. It’s also a source of creativity and joy in the kitchen.

5. Sri Lanka has so many home cooks. would you tell them to go beyond their homebase and build a brand that is a staple? 

Since I left Sri Lanka, I now see there are so many different opportunities for home cooks. I suggest a few strategies that worked for me throughout my journey in food. Emphasising the unique flavours, highlighting the distinctiveness of Sri Lankan cuisine. Using unique recipes and cooking methods can set you apart in a crowded market. Building a strong brand identity: Developing a brand that reflects your personal style and the essence of your cooking. This includes a memorable name, a compelling story, and a consistent visual identity. Building a strong social media presence: Use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to showcase your dishes, share cooking tips, and engage with a wider audience. Visual content will be particularly powerful in attracting interest. Offer a Personal Touch: Your personal story and passion can be a huge selling point. Share your journey, the inspiration behind your recipes, and your connection to Sri Lankan culinary traditions. Network and Collaborate: Partner with local food influencers, participate in food festivals, and collaborate with other chefs or businesses. Networking can help you gain visibility and credibility. This is a very powerful tool that personally I vouch for. 

6. What is your favourite International Cuisine? And how can you infuse Sri Lankan into it?

Choosing a favourite international cuisine is tough, but if I had to pick one, I would go with Italian. Its emphasis on fresh and simple ingredients yet flavourful and quite appealing. Infusing Sri Lankan cuisine into Italian dishes will bring out some exciting flavours. Here are some of my Sri Lankan and  Italian combinations. Hoppers with Italian toppings – Creamy mushroom topping or basil and tomato sauce

Sri Lanakan Spices infused Pasta – Adding Sri Lankan unroasted curry powder to the creamy mushroom pasta mix.  Coconut Gelato – Infusing gelato with coconut and adding a hint of cardamom or cinnamon will give a unique dessert experience. These ideas blend the robust flavours of Sri Lankan cuisine with the comforting and familiar elements of Italian food, creating a delicious dish that brings out the culinary traditions of both countries. 

7. Do you think there is more space for new restaurants? 

I believe that there is always going to be more space for new restaurants, as restaurateurs always bring new perspectives to different cuisines. For example, in Australia we currently see Sri Lankan restaurants that bring a modern flair to traditional Sri Lankan dishes. Thereby it attracts different demographics.  Overall, while competition is fierce, there is always space for new restaurants that can offer something distinctive, meet a need, or resonate with current dining trends.

 8. Would you ever pen down a cookery book?

 I would love to one day publish a Sri Lankan cookbook that showcases all the forgotten recipes. 

 9. Your collaboration with Isso- is it a one- off or do you hope to do more?

As it stands it is a one-off collaboration, but I would love to see what are the other opportunities that this will bring in future and continue collaboration.

 10. How can one buy tickets and be a part of this experience? 

To make reservations for this Signature Crab Experience, Call Isso. We will be serving a delicious 3 course dinner on the 24th of August from 7.00pm onwards at Isso Colombo 3 outlet.

 11. One person you wish could sit down and enjoy one of your Signature dishes?

I would love to sit down with Matt Preston to enjoy one of my signature dishes. He was a very supportive and encouraging mentor/judge throughout the MasterChef journey. I didn’t have a proper opportunity to cook all my signature dishes, I only showed a glimpse of Sri Lankan dishes. So, if I get an opportunity to cook for him it would be a dream come true. 

 12. If you are given the opportunity to cook for the president of Sri Lanka, what is that one dish you think he will enjoy?

I’m sure he would love most of the Sri Lankan dishes, but he wouldn’t have had the  Dee-Licious Crab Curry. So, I think I will make him my Signature Crab Curry, I’m sure he will enjoy it!