MasterChef contestant Amina Elshafei in Islamabad

Television gives us an opportunity to see many personalities in action, whether it be on talk, cooking or entertainment shows but rarely do we get the chance, especially in Pakistan (because of 'security concerns') to meet a well-known person 'in the flesh' so to say. So those who were invited to the Rotary Club of Islamabad Renaissance (RCIR) event were lucky to meet Amina Elshafei, MasterChef Australian contestant (season 4), who is visiting Pakistan as part of the Australian government and the World Food Programme (WFP) initiatives in Pakistan, when she visited the RCIR's flagship project, 'Paper Miracles' and the solar drying food and vegetables project. She was accompanied by Honorary Rotarian and Goodwill Ambassador, Paper Miracles, Susan Heyward, wife of Australian High Commissioner, Peter Heyward.
After a brief introduction and a warm welcome, Elle Takagaki the protagonist behind 'Paper Miracles,' explained what it was all about — an income generating project for paraplegic women — and thanked Amina for promoting the beautiful jewellery while in Pakistan. After this there was a 'guess what' food quiz in which two teams took part — three boys and three girls who had to identify the dried fruit or vegetable they tasted. The boys won! Then Amina tasted three different kinds of rice (pullao) dishes and gave her opinion about them, giving the volunteers who had prepared them a 'thumbs up' for their effort. But many of us did wonder what she really thought about the food, which was very spicy!

Thanking the RCIR for hosting the event, Susan Heyward said they were very pleased to have Amina — who was a 'lovely person with a sense of humour' — in Islamabad, as she was a symbol of the multicultural and tolerant society of Australia. She gave credit to embassy official in charge of cultural affairs, Melissa Kelly for arranging Amina's visit and concluded by hoping everyone had enjoyed the afternoon.

Cheerful; full of 'joie de vivre' and happy to be here, Amina said Pakistan had been a wonderful surprise as she had no idea that such beautiful monuments and historical sites existed here. "I have been bowled over by what I have seen," she said especially mentioning the Badshahi and Wazir Khan mosques in Lahore. About Pakistani food she said she was familiar with it as she had Pakistani friends but she would ask them why they had not told her about the many wonderful aspects of the country she had discovered! As for the rumour that 'MasterChef Pakistan' would be launched soon in Pakistan she said she had no idea, so I guess it's just that — a rumour!

In conclusion prizes and gifts were presented to the guests of honour; the contestants and those who helped organise the event, especially Mehreen Nasir, while secretary, RCIR, Adnan Aurangzeb gave the vote of thanks.

Amina Elshafei, a paediatric nurse by profession, spent a major part of her stay in the cultural city of Lahore where she did a cooking show at a local hotel. She was born in Saudi Arabia to an Egyptian father and Korean mother and has been hosting many activities within the Muslim community in Sydney since appearing in the show. Promoting healthy eating among children and women, she is personally interested in learning about projects benefiting underprivileged women in Pakistan hence Paper Miracles was selected. She has agreed to advocate Paper Miracles during her stay in Pakistan and also wear the necklaces at publicity events where possible.