‘Little things matter’: enjoying a MasterChef Christmas: winner Diana Chan shares her entertaining plans

MasterChef winner Diana Chan shares her cooking and entertaining plans for this Christmas.

With Christmas just a week away, chef Diana Chan has busied herself getting ready for the festive season.

“This year we are going slightly different with the menu. There will be the usual suspects of ham, beef, prawns, oysters with some lobster rolls and grilled octopus on the barbecue,” says Diana.

“As I get older I realise that it doesn’t matter how extravagant or how minimal you want to make it, it’s all about the little things that matter. It’s about making the day one to remember with all your loved ones. Food, drinks and presents are a bonus.”

Diana, who took out the MasterChef 2017 title has used her platform well, steadily increasing her brand in the competitive food market, plus she’s about to step into homewares.

Former MasterChef contestant Diana Chan says Christmas is about family and friends: “Food, drinks and presents are a bonus.”

“I see every day as a new and exciting day. For me it’s the small wins along with the big as well. To be perfectly honest, I’d say my career is a steady progression of new and old projects. The dumpling range, (Diana Chan Dumplings with Golden Wok) is an ongoing partnership which we have nurtured for the last four years and still ongoing,” she says. “I have been working on my new homewares range which will be launching soon. Covid has delayed a lot of my manufacturing in Melbourne, but I believe in quality and ethical workplaces hence why I have chosen to manufacture them here.”

Diana Chan was crowed MasterChef 2017 winner and had since launched a dumpling brand and has a homewares range in the works.

Who MasterChef winner, dumpling entrepreneur and homewares designer Diana Chan.

Where Townhouse with uninterrupted bay views of Melbourne. Favourite thing I love setting the dinner table every night whether it’s for two or for 10. Every meal to me is an occasion. These napkins are from my Diana Chan Home range. Inspiration Partially modern and practical at the same time. Home is My home is where I feel most comfortable and creative.

MASTERCHEF WINNER DIANA CHAN’S FAVOURITE THINGS

Diana has started to collect artwork. This one was gifted to her by her friend Renae Geddes.

ART: Slowly but surely I’ve been collecting pieces of art in my older age. I’ve grown to appreciate good art and have a few pieces which I’ve collected over the years. This one here is from my girlfriend who is an amazing artist, Renae Geddes. She gifted me this art a few years back and it is my favourite piece of hers.

She definitely does not have a favourite perfume, switching it up all the time.

PERFUME: I very rarely finish a whole bottle before getting the next one, which is such a bad habit but I grow out of them relatively quickly, then come back to revisit them in a few months time so they are all on rotation.

Chop, chop!

KNIVES: I can’t live without my knives. I’ve collected a few from Japan and bought many here as well. I use them every day and maintain them by sharpening them regularly. Big tip – do not put them in the dishwasher.

There are flowers in every room of Diana’s home.

FLOWERS: My house often looks like a florist. In my spare time, I love floral arrangements. I would say it’s a hobby of mine. I would head to the market, grab a few bunches of flowers and decorate them all over the house. Every room has a bunch of flowers.

Friday drinks, anyone?

DRINKS CART: What’s not to like. It’s great for Friday knock off drinks or when you just want that whisky on the rocks while watching a movie at night. It is a great centrepiece in the house.

It’s tam time, all the time, in Diana’s home.

TEAPOT: Practically my best friend in winter. Actually in general. I drink hot water all day. I know it’s weird but it’s actually quite an Asian thing to do. Helps digestion they say but mostly I’m just used to it and it’s out of habit.

SODASTREAM: Sparking water goes with every meal, according to Diana.

We have sparkling water everyday with our meals so not only is it handy but more sustainable as you can refill the gas bottles once they run out.

CANDLE: Diana says beautiful smells fill her home.

I’m big on aromatherapy. I love woody, earthy and green scents when it comes to smells.

Originally published as ‘Little things matter’: enjoying a MasterChef Christmas: winner Diana Chan shares her entertaining plans