Malaysian 'Rendangate' Chef Releases Cookbook Called 'My Rendang Isn't Crispy'

Remember the whole 'Rendangate' controversy last year?

Just to refresh your memories, Zaleha Kadir Olpin, 48, a Malaysian contestant in 'MasterChef UK', was roasted (pardon the pun) by the judges for her chicken rendang dish, which they said wasn’t crispy enough.

On social media, Malaysians questioned the qualification of the judges to evaluate Asian food as they defended the fact that the stew made with spices and coconut milk could never be crispy.

The issue blew up to such huge proportions that even former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, British High Commissioner to Malaysia Vicki Treadell and Chef Wan said chicken rendang is never crispy.

Mana ada orang makan rendang ayam 'crispy'? #MalaysianFood pic.twitter.com/nWBbaVN8HY
— Mohd Najib Tun Razak (@NajibRazak) April 3, 2018

Well, Malaysians would be glad to know that a year after being eliminated from the show, Zaleha put all that attention on her chicken rendang dish to good use by launching her very own cookbook.

Aptly titled ‘My Rendang Isn't Crispy', the book contains recipes to some of Malaysia's favourite dishes (yes, rendang is included).

Sharing her joy in releasing the book, Zaleha, in her Facebook page, said she is just excited to be able to share her 'baby' with everyone.

"I cannot tell you how excited I am feeling right now! From months of hard work to finally being able to hold it in my hands, I just hope you will enjoy and appreciate it," she wrote.

Zaleha's will be out on 1 July in Asia and on 16 Sept in the UK.

One thing’s for sure. The doesn’t have a crispy chicken rendang recipe in book.