Former MasterChef Star Brendan Pang to Showcase Family Recipes at Mandurah Crab Fest 2026
Cookbook author and former MasterChef star Brendan Pang is set to take centre stage at this weekend's Channel 7 Mandurah Crab Fest, bringing a taste of his family heritage to the popular cooking demonstration platform.
From MasterChef to Mandurah
Pang first appeared on season 10 of MasterChef when he was 24 years old, later returning for the season 12 Back to Win series. In the MasterChef kitchen, he quickly gained recognition for his delicious dumplings, which he transformed into a successful pop-up restaurant in Fremantle called Bumplings. The eatery served more than one million dumplings during its operational period from 2019 to 2024.
Now, with four successful cookbooks and extensive worldwide cooking demonstration experience under his belt, Pang expressed his enthusiasm for connecting with home cooks at the Mandurah Crab Fest.
A Celebration of Local Seafood and Community
"Any event that celebrates great local seafood and brings the community together around food is something I'm drawn to," Pang said. "WA has incredible produce, especially seafood, and I love opportunities where I can share my ideas with home cooks, so this felt like a perfect fit."
Growing up in a Chinese-Mauritian household, Pang's culinary style is naturally shaped by a vibrant mix of flavours, including Asian, Creole, and Indian influences. This unique background informs the dishes he plans to present at the festival.
Personal Connection to Mandurah
With two younger brothers residing in Mandurah, Pang feels a strong connection to the area and is always eager for an excuse to visit. "It's such a beautiful coastal spot with a relaxed vibe. I'm really looking forward to soaking up the atmosphere during the festival," he remarked.
Signature Seafood Dishes for Crab Fest
The signature dishes Pang will showcase at Crab Fest include:
- A coconut fish curry with yoghurt flatbread
- Spicy prawn and crab wontons
- Crispy fish burgers
"I wanted dishes that highlight seafood in different ways," Pang explained. "Something comforting, something fun and shareable, and something super approachable for home cooks. I'm especially proud of the wontons because they really let the sweetness of the crab shine while still bringing bold flavour."
The Appeal of Crab in Cooking
Working with the festival's namesake ingredient, Pang noted that crab is a favourite among chefs due to its natural sweetness and delicate texture. "It feels special but it doesn't need a lot of fuss," he said. "For home cooks, it's also tied to experience: cracking crab, sharing seafood platters, cooking outdoors — it's social food. Plus in WA we're lucky to have such great crab available, so it makes sense that people gravitate towards it."
Event Details
Brendan Pang will be appearing on the cooking stage at the Mandurah Crab Fest on Saturday, March 14, at 2pm, and Sunday, March 15, at 1pm and 4pm. Attendees can look forward to an engaging demonstration that blends culinary expertise with personal storytelling, all set against the backdrop of Mandurah's scenic coastal environment.
