--- Cook along with your favourite TV chefs in Dishing It Up at 7:30pm Thursdays from 29 September on SBS and SBS Food. All episodes streaming free on SBS On Demand. For recipes and more head to the program page. ---
Tell us about yourselves.
Sara: I am a self-obsessed foodie with a love of all things food and photography. I also work full-time as a finance operations manager.
Who I am really? A six-foot-tall and tattooed Egyptian-Australian female who hoards kitchen crockery and cutlery owns recipe books (the only books I enjoy reading) and has regular cook-offs with my chef girlfriend. I can fill any room with laughter, thanks to my wicked sense of humour, while pouring an epic cocktail and making sure my guests are well and truly fed.
Magda: I'm 62 years old but in reality, I'm only eight and a half since I had a heart transplant. Most people get one chance at life, but I got blessed with a second chance.
I have two children and have been married to a wonderful man for the last 40 years. Originally from Egypt, I was expected to marry an Egyptian but being the black sheep and strong-willed, I was the first Coptic Orthodox girl in my family to marry an Australian man.
Food has always been a passion for me. Everything evolved around food.
What is one fun fact about yourself?
Sara: One night, I had this vague dream about a tattoo, so I drew it down. While in Bali for mum's birthday, I got it tattooed - a branch for new life, a whisk for renewed creativity, a fork for enjoyment and a flower for growth. This is how I'll always live my life.
How did you end up being on a reality cooking series?
Sara: I have always been obsessed with cooking shows; they are my form of sport. I end up yelling at the contestants, telling them how to do it or blatantly disagreeing with what is happening.
I have always been obsessed with cooking shows; to me they are my form of sport.
This is one of the reasons I applied for the series. I loved the concept – the ability to cook along with TV chefs – but to also call out when they make a misstep or magically produce a masterpiece. I want to prove the fallacy of "here's something I prepared earlier", which is nothing like what they just made.
Magda: I never intended to be on a reality cooking show but when my daughter asked, I thought why not. We have always enjoyed cooking, eating and drinking, not always in that order, and this was a great opportunity to spend more time with her.
What do you like or dislike about cooking?
Magda: The kitchen is my happy place where I stop worrying about anything else going on. I love seeing family members enjoying the food that I've prepared for them, especially if they are on diets and can't resist another serving.
We have always enjoyed cooking, eating and drinking, not always in that order.
What was your favourite dish from the series?
Sara: Without a doubt, those chicken doughnuts. They blew my mind! Mum has made them several times since the show and they are pure indulgence.
If you could have any celebrity chef cook for you, who would you choose?
Sara: Hands down, Gordon Ramsay. I am in awe of his energy, simplicity and no-fuss cooking style, and I am sure it tastes incredible.
Magda: I would love Jimmy Shu to cook seafood for me…or pork or duck. I’m not picky.
What is your desert island dish?
Sara: My gedo's (grandfather's) barbecue fish and rice. I could eat it 100 times and never get sick of it.
Magda: Chilli crab. I love to break down every bit of it and dig out the little morsels of luscious meat.
Love the story? Follow the author Melissa Woodley here: Instagram @sporkdiaries.
SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only. Read more about SBS Food
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