Winner of US MasterChef 2012, Christine Ha, will once again join the show's Vietnamese edition as a judge. — Photo today.mccombs.utexas.edu

HA NOI (VNS) — Winner of US MasterChef 2012, Christine Ha, will once again join the show's Vietnamese edition as a judge.

Ha, the first sight-impaired contestant in US MasterChef's history, became popular with Vietnamese audiences since her participation as guest judge in the first two seasons of Vietnam MasterChef.

The 36-year-old woman suffers from neuromyelitis optica (NMO) – an autoimmune disorder that affects the optic nerves and spinal chord, which took her sight away more than 10 years ago.

At US MasterChef 2012, Ha wowed the judges in the first audition with a signature Vietnamese dish, catfish braised in a clay pot. The menu she prepared in the finale also featured Asian-style creations. She touched viewers with her inspirational story and her immense passion for cooking.

In this year's Vietnam MasterChef, Ha will team up with two other judges, whose names will be unveiled in the following days.

The first episode of the show will air in the beginning of September. — VNS