He may have been a young prodigy having completed Year 11 at just 14-years-old, enrolled in university at age 16 and become a lawyer by 21, but Adam Liaw Winner of the 2nd series of the Ch10 hit series MasterChef, will tell you taking out the title was one of his proudest moments.

On the 25th July 2010 watched by over 4.2 million people, Adam completed a grueling round of finale tests to finish a close 4 points ahead of his opponent and mate Callum Hahn. Relief and shock flooded his face as he came to realize that success was so much sweeter when it came from achieving something you are truly passionate about.

“I first remember cooking when I was eight or nine and living with my mum and stepfather,” explains Adam. “With my stepbrothers and sisters, there were eight of us kids in the house and once a month, it would be the kids’ turn to make dinner.

“We moved around a bit when I was younger, like over to Malaysia, and there would always be some kind of food that I had loved – and wanted to cook – for the whole family.”

He moved to Japan six years ago, where his love affair with food blossomed. And after forging a successful career as a lawyer, Adam handed down his verdict on his culinary future.

The opportunity to return home and ultimately fulfill his culinary dream came in the form of MasterChef Series 2. After nine intense, exhausting and exhilarating months Adam has seen his dreams unfold - as the winner of MasterChef Series 2. He now has plans to open his own Japanese Izakaya, which is like a pub with a casual restaurant.

Adam has just published his first cookbook ‘Two Asian Kitchens’ – a mix of Asian and Australian fusion with a nod to tradition and Adam’s unmistakable twist. Adam will be drawing on his Malaysian heritage as he prepares classic Malaysian dishes at the Auckland Food Show in celebration of the Malaysia Kitchen Programme for NZ. Visit www.malaysiakitchen.co.nz for more information and recipes