New Delhi, March 30 (Ians) Gary Mehigan, who was behind the humongous success of ‘MasterChef Australia’, has become a registered Indophile by the look of it.
Somewhat like the Australian (and also Delhi Capitals) cricket star David Warner, who almost became the face of Tollywood during his stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mehigan knows more about India than any homegrown desi would on a good day.
Not surprising, considering that he has been here 12 times in 18 months, travelling across the country from the highlands of Munnar in Kerala to Ladakh, soaking in the Hemis Festival, to Nagaland, chilling at Hornbill. Sampling ‘langarwali dal’ and roti at Anandpur Sahib one day or, on another, riding a truck in Kolkata carrying an idol of Goddess Durga being taken for immersion to the Hooghly, shooting for Nat Geo’s ‘India Mega Festivals’ series.
And of course, if you’re a chef who spends more time...
Somewhat like the Australian (and also Delhi Capitals) cricket star David Warner, who almost became the face of Tollywood during his stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mehigan knows more about India than any homegrown desi would on a good day.
Not surprising, considering that he has been here 12 times in 18 months, travelling across the country from the highlands of Munnar in Kerala to Ladakh, soaking in the Hemis Festival, to Nagaland, chilling at Hornbill. Sampling ‘langarwali dal’ and roti at Anandpur Sahib one day or, on another, riding a truck in Kolkata carrying an idol of Goddess Durga being taken for immersion to the Hooghly, shooting for Nat Geo’s ‘India Mega Festivals’ series.
And of course, if you’re a chef who spends more time...
- 3/30/2024
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
India is a country known for its opulent traditions, vibrant culture, and striking festivals! It embraces a tapestry of over a thousand festivals, creating a symphony of boundless joy and everlasting festivities throughout the year. To witness some of the grandest festivals of India, National Geographic India along with celebrity chefs Gary Mehigan & Pablo Naranjo Agular are all set to take viewers on a mesmerizing journey through a brand-new series titled ‘India’s Mega Festivals’.
Premiering on September 6, at 8pm, the hosts will immerse themselves in the country’s rich heritage, traditions and revel in flavours and fervour of the Indian festivals in the six-part series.
Each 44-minute episode will feature a host unraveling unique celebrations: from the spirited Pulikali dance to serving a mega meal in the iconic Thrikkakara Temple during Onam; learning to play rhythmic beats on dhol to visiting mega pandals during Ganpati celebrations; pandal hopping to...
Premiering on September 6, at 8pm, the hosts will immerse themselves in the country’s rich heritage, traditions and revel in flavours and fervour of the Indian festivals in the six-part series.
Each 44-minute episode will feature a host unraveling unique celebrations: from the spirited Pulikali dance to serving a mega meal in the iconic Thrikkakara Temple during Onam; learning to play rhythmic beats on dhol to visiting mega pandals during Ganpati celebrations; pandal hopping to...
- 9/4/2023
- by Editorial Desk
- GlamSham
MasterChef Australia‘s new season has been rescheduled to launch on Sunday (May 7) evening following the death of judge Jock Zonfrillo.
The 15th season of the Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia cooking competition had been set to launch this past Sunday in Australia but was postponed after it emerged Zonfrillo had unexpectedly died aged 46.
Zonfrillo’s family have given their blessing to Network 10’s plan, according to the channel. Filming had already wrapped, with Zonfrillo, Andy Allen and Melissa Leong the judging trio. A special dedicated to the chef and broadcaster will air directly before the episode on current affairs show The Sunday Project.
“With the full support of Jock Zonfrillo’s family, MasterChef Australia will air at 7.30pm on Sunday, May 7,” said the report.
“MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo took great pride in challenging and coaching the contestants and of course inspiring a nation of home cooks.
“It...
The 15th season of the Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia cooking competition had been set to launch this past Sunday in Australia but was postponed after it emerged Zonfrillo had unexpectedly died aged 46.
Zonfrillo’s family have given their blessing to Network 10’s plan, according to the channel. Filming had already wrapped, with Zonfrillo, Andy Allen and Melissa Leong the judging trio. A special dedicated to the chef and broadcaster will air directly before the episode on current affairs show The Sunday Project.
“With the full support of Jock Zonfrillo’s family, MasterChef Australia will air at 7.30pm on Sunday, May 7,” said the report.
“MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo took great pride in challenging and coaching the contestants and of course inspiring a nation of home cooks.
“It...
- 5/3/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Jock Zonfrillo, the MasterChef Australia judge and award-winning Scottish chef, has died unexpectedly. He was 46.
His family confirmed his death in a statement: “With completely shattered hearts and without knowing how we can possibly move through life without him, we are devastated to share that Jock passed away yesterday.
“So many words can describe him, so many stories can be told, but at this time we’re too overwhelmed to put them into words. For those who crossed his path, became his mate, or were lucky enough to be in his family, keep this proud Scot in your hearts when you next have a whisky.”
A new season of MasterChef Australia was due to air this week, but has been postponed.
In a statement, Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia said: “Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia are deeply shocked and saddened at the sudden loss of Jock Zonfrillo, a beloved...
His family confirmed his death in a statement: “With completely shattered hearts and without knowing how we can possibly move through life without him, we are devastated to share that Jock passed away yesterday.
“So many words can describe him, so many stories can be told, but at this time we’re too overwhelmed to put them into words. For those who crossed his path, became his mate, or were lucky enough to be in his family, keep this proud Scot in your hearts when you next have a whisky.”
A new season of MasterChef Australia was due to air this week, but has been postponed.
In a statement, Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia said: “Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia are deeply shocked and saddened at the sudden loss of Jock Zonfrillo, a beloved...
- 5/1/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Singapore-based production group Beach House Pictures has teamed up with executive Raghav Khanna to launch new unit Riverland Entertainment in Mumbai, India.
The newly-formed production company will develop a slate of unscripted series and documentaries from India. It will do so by partnering with local Indian talent to create content intended for global and Indian audiences, while also leveraging Beach House Pictures’ international expertise and reach, and with access to Beach House’s post-production facility, Space Lion Studios.
Khanna, who is a former head of Netflix’s documentary production in Asia-Pacific, is set as MD of the new operation. He will work closely with Beach House Pictures founders Donovan Chan and Jocelyn Little.
Riverland Entertainment will also provide line-production services to incoming international productions and help them unlock access to local talent, crews, permits and tax incentives. In recent years, India has launched a simplified ‘single window clearance’ process for...
The newly-formed production company will develop a slate of unscripted series and documentaries from India. It will do so by partnering with local Indian talent to create content intended for global and Indian audiences, while also leveraging Beach House Pictures’ international expertise and reach, and with access to Beach House’s post-production facility, Space Lion Studios.
Khanna, who is a former head of Netflix’s documentary production in Asia-Pacific, is set as MD of the new operation. He will work closely with Beach House Pictures founders Donovan Chan and Jocelyn Little.
Riverland Entertainment will also provide line-production services to incoming international productions and help them unlock access to local talent, crews, permits and tax incentives. In recent years, India has launched a simplified ‘single window clearance’ process for...
- 9/27/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Reality show The announcement comes on the heels of a controversy around George Calombaris for underpaying restaurant staff by Aud $7.8 million. Tnm StaffMasterchef Australia, the competitive cooking show with cult following world over, has announced that it is bidding farewell to Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris, the three iconic celebrity chef judges who have been on the show for eleven seasons. In an Instagram post ahead of the telecast of the season finale, Masterchef Australia said that it was bidding a “fond farewell” to the trio. “For more than a decade, #MasterChefAU has celebrated Australian food and made the culinary dreams of everyday home cooks come true. We thank Matt, George and Gary for being a part of this remarkable MasterChef legacy!” it added. View this post on Instagram After 11 sensational seasons, we bid a fond farewell to our judges - Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris.
- 7/23/2019
- by Geetika
- The News Minute
Sandeep Pandit left Kashmir with his family when he was all of 8. Now he is exploring the culinary heritage of his roots as a contestant on "MasterChef Australia", leaving judges of the international reality TV show impressed.
A Kashmiri Pandit, Sandeep has been preparing Rogan Josh, Yakhni, Muji Chetin, Dhungar, Kahwa, Kabargah and Tehr, on the show judged by Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston.
According to Sandeep's contestant profile on the show's website, he was born in Kashmir in the early 1980s and spent eight years there with his family before militancy forced them south, leaving all their possessions and migrating to Bengaluru in 1990. It was here that Sandeep's passion for cooking grew.
The family didn't have a fridge, so his mother taught him how to cook 'dal' without having it stick to the hotplate, and how to boil food to prevent it spoiling.
It is these learnings that helped Sandeep,...
A Kashmiri Pandit, Sandeep has been preparing Rogan Josh, Yakhni, Muji Chetin, Dhungar, Kahwa, Kabargah and Tehr, on the show judged by Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston.
According to Sandeep's contestant profile on the show's website, he was born in Kashmir in the early 1980s and spent eight years there with his family before militancy forced them south, leaving all their possessions and migrating to Bengaluru in 1990. It was here that Sandeep's passion for cooking grew.
The family didn't have a fridge, so his mother taught him how to cook 'dal' without having it stick to the hotplate, and how to boil food to prevent it spoiling.
It is these learnings that helped Sandeep,...
- 6/8/2019
- GlamSham
Lucy Lawless, star of Cjz’s ‘My Life Is Murder’.
The newly-rebranded Network 10 on Wednesday night unveiled 13 new Australian shows for 2019 including romantic comedy Five Bedrooms, thriller The Secrets She Keeps and four entertainment series spun-off from shows which screened during Pilot Week.
Created by Michael Lucas and Christine Bartlett and produced by Hoodlum Entertainment, Five Bedrooms will follow five very different people who meet on the singles’ table at a wedding and decide to buy a house together.
Lingo Pictures’ The Secrets She Keeps is a psychological thriller based on the novel by Australian author Michael Robotham, a dark tale of two women from different walks of life who have one thing in common – explosive secrets that could destroy their lives.
Jonathan Gavin and Sarah Walker will script the six-part series. The protagonists are Meg, who has a handsome husband, two gorgeous children and a third bundle of joy on the way,...
The newly-rebranded Network 10 on Wednesday night unveiled 13 new Australian shows for 2019 including romantic comedy Five Bedrooms, thriller The Secrets She Keeps and four entertainment series spun-off from shows which screened during Pilot Week.
Created by Michael Lucas and Christine Bartlett and produced by Hoodlum Entertainment, Five Bedrooms will follow five very different people who meet on the singles’ table at a wedding and decide to buy a house together.
Lingo Pictures’ The Secrets She Keeps is a psychological thriller based on the novel by Australian author Michael Robotham, a dark tale of two women from different walks of life who have one thing in common – explosive secrets that could destroy their lives.
Jonathan Gavin and Sarah Walker will script the six-part series. The protagonists are Meg, who has a handsome husband, two gorgeous children and a third bundle of joy on the way,...
- 10/31/2018
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Russell Crowe and David Stratton. (Photo: Mark Rogers)
Two Australian productions, Stranger Than Fiction Film’s David Stratton’s Stories of Australian Cinema and Endemol Shine Australia’s MasterChef Australia, are in contention for the 2018 International Emmy Awards.
Three-part series David Stratton’s Stories of Australian Cinema, produced for the ABC, is nominated for the Arts Programming Award. It will compete against Canada’s Dreaming of A Jewish Christmas (Riddle Films), Dutch production Etgar Keret, gebaseerd op een waar verhaal (Baldr Film/Ntr Television) and Brazil’s Palavras Em Série (Words in Series) (Gnt/Hungry Man).
Stories of Australian Cinema, directed by Sally Aitken and produced by Jen Peedom and Jo-anne McGowan, sees the film critic and former co-host of ABC’s At The Movies and Sbs’s The Movie Show reflect on Australian films, including interviews from the likes of Nicole Kidman, Judy Davis, Russell Crowe and Jacki Weaver,...
Two Australian productions, Stranger Than Fiction Film’s David Stratton’s Stories of Australian Cinema and Endemol Shine Australia’s MasterChef Australia, are in contention for the 2018 International Emmy Awards.
Three-part series David Stratton’s Stories of Australian Cinema, produced for the ABC, is nominated for the Arts Programming Award. It will compete against Canada’s Dreaming of A Jewish Christmas (Riddle Films), Dutch production Etgar Keret, gebaseerd op een waar verhaal (Baldr Film/Ntr Television) and Brazil’s Palavras Em Série (Words in Series) (Gnt/Hungry Man).
Stories of Australian Cinema, directed by Sally Aitken and produced by Jen Peedom and Jo-anne McGowan, sees the film critic and former co-host of ABC’s At The Movies and Sbs’s The Movie Show reflect on Australian films, including interviews from the likes of Nicole Kidman, Judy Davis, Russell Crowe and Jacki Weaver,...
- 9/28/2018
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Sisters-in-law Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle seem to have it all, but they interestingly can't eat one of the most popular food items in everyone's diets. During a new interview, Kate and Meghan's royal mother-in-law, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, revealed that members of the monarchy aren't allowed to eat... garlic. "I hate to say this, but garlic. Garlic is a no-no... You always have to lay off the garlic," Camilla, 70, told MasterChef Australia judge Gary Mehigan during a recent chat, adding that royals shouldn't eat garlic because it could give them bad breath. (Photo Credit: Getty Images) In the past, it has been reported that Queen Elizabeth hates garlic and has banned it from being served at her Buckingham Palace home. "We can never serve anything with garlic or too much onions," former royal chef Darren McGrady once dished to RecipesPlus. "We also couldn't serve meat that was rare, as...
- 7/5/2018
- by Julia Birkinbine
- Closer Weekly
New Delhi, Nov 10: The most common mistake made by cookery show contestants is that they choose complicated dishes over simple ones to impress the judges, says celebrity chef Gary Mehigan who loves to gorge on south Indian cuisine whenever he is in the country.
Key to victory in a cookery show is to keep the dishes simple, he feels.
"They try to be too fancy and too quick. They want to impress us. They bite off a little more than what they can chew. They should be simple in the beginning of the competition," Mehigan told Ians in a telephonic interview from Mumbai, during his trip to India.
He judges "MasterChef Australia".
"Just because something looks fancy...it might not taste that good. The more complicated.
Key to victory in a cookery show is to keep the dishes simple, he feels.
"They try to be too fancy and too quick. They want to impress us. They bite off a little more than what they can chew. They should be simple in the beginning of the competition," Mehigan told Ians in a telephonic interview from Mumbai, during his trip to India.
He judges "MasterChef Australia".
"Just because something looks fancy...it might not taste that good. The more complicated.
- 11/10/2013
- by Shiva Prakash
- RealBollywood.com
New Delhi, Oct 18: "MasterChef Australia" judge Gary Mehigan is returning to India for another round of culinary adventures, as part of Australia's cultural festival Oz Fest. Eager to learn more about Indian cuisine, he is "excited" about his visit.
Mehigan will be out and about in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Jodhpur, and his travels will be filmed for his new television series pilot "Far Flung with Gary Mehigan".
"I'm so excited to be returning to India for my third trip. The sights, sounds and tastes of India have stayed with me since my first trip to the saffron land last year as part of Oz Fest," he added.
"I.
Mehigan will be out and about in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Jodhpur, and his travels will be filmed for his new television series pilot "Far Flung with Gary Mehigan".
"I'm so excited to be returning to India for my third trip. The sights, sounds and tastes of India have stayed with me since my first trip to the saffron land last year as part of Oz Fest," he added.
"I.
- 10/18/2013
- by Smith Cox
- RealBollywood.com
MasterChef's Matt Preston has revealed that he likes rival series My Kitchen Rules. The Australian food critic, who judges MasterChef Australia alongside chefs George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan, said that the next series of his programme will be all about the food. Preston told the Herald Sun that Channel Ten hopes to bring the competition back to basics this year, saying: "The first thing we look at is whether they can cook. "We could pick nuff nuffs who couldn't cook and it would make great TV, but it is not really what it is about." > Sarah Wilson: 'MasterChef has lost its allure' He said of My Kitchen Rules: "TV shows are about ratings. (more)...
- 3/1/2012
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Emile Sherman, Ben Mendelsohn and Lizzy Gardiner have been recognised for their services to Australian arts with inclusion into 2012′s Who’s Who in Australia book.
Recognising high achievers in the arts as well as media, business, politics and sport, Who’s Who in Australia is an annual biographical publication.
Sherman, the Oscar-winning producer of The Kings Speech, Mendelsohn, actor of Animal Kingdom, and Gardiner costumer designer of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert are joined by other arts and media figures such as author and journalist Peter FitzSimons, appointed CEO of the Ten Network James Warburton, and Ten news presenter Helen Kapalos as well as entertainer Tim Minchin and Masterchef host Gary Mehigan.
Hugh Martin, CEO of Who’s Who in Australia’s publisher, Crown Content told Encore: “Emile Sherman, to win an oscar is a huge achievement anyway. Not all that many do in the role of a producer,...
Recognising high achievers in the arts as well as media, business, politics and sport, Who’s Who in Australia is an annual biographical publication.
Sherman, the Oscar-winning producer of The Kings Speech, Mendelsohn, actor of Animal Kingdom, and Gardiner costumer designer of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert are joined by other arts and media figures such as author and journalist Peter FitzSimons, appointed CEO of the Ten Network James Warburton, and Ten news presenter Helen Kapalos as well as entertainer Tim Minchin and Masterchef host Gary Mehigan.
Hugh Martin, CEO of Who’s Who in Australia’s publisher, Crown Content told Encore: “Emile Sherman, to win an oscar is a huge achievement anyway. Not all that many do in the role of a producer,...
- 12/8/2011
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Greta Yaxley has won Australian Junior MasterChef 2011. The 11-year-old girl from Perth, who went up against 12-year-old Jack from Queensland in the two-part final, was announced as the winner of the second series of the reality television show after challenges from celebrity chefs Donna Hay and Tetsuya Wakuda After the first round, when the duo had to create a fruit dessert for Hay in one hour, Yaxley found herself in the lead by three points. In the second challenge, a pressure test where the finalists had to re-create a tian of spanner crab with dash stock and tofu for Wakuda, Yaxley got a string of perfect 10 scores from judges Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris, Anna Gare and Matt Moran, with Wakuda describing her dish as "beautifully balanced". After the result was announced, Yaxley said: "I feel, like, amazing! (more)...
- 11/24/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Australian MasterChef's George Calombaris has revealed that he doesn't like Gordon Ramsay. The Aussie chef, who judges the reality television show alongside Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan, said that he doesn't want Ramsay to appear as a guest on his programme because he bullies contestants. Calombaris told the Herald Sun: "If they wanted to have Gordon on, okay, but I wouldn't stand for [him picking on people]. I would have to take him outside. "I don't believe it's necessary to belittle and attack a person. That's not what our show is about. When I signed on to do this I made it clear that I would not do that sort of thing. I hate bullying." Calombaris is currently filming Junior MasterChef and said that he is trying to teach all the young contestants that "failure is okay". (more)...
- 10/17/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Sarah Wilson has said that MasterChef has lost its "allure" for her. The 34-year-old Australian television presenter, who used to host the reality cooking show alongside judges Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston, admitted that she does not enjoy the show any more because she cannot watch it like the average viewer. Wilson told The Daily Telegraph: "I dipped in and out every now and again to keep an eye on things but I know it too well, it's lost the allure of the average person." The star also said that MasterChef's producers need to pay attention to criticism from viewers of this year's season and make appropriate changes. "They've got so much more competition with My Kitchen Rules and other reality shows, so I think they tried to pull out different tricks and techniques," (more)...
- 8/25/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Matt Preston has revealed that he has become more "comfortable" the older he has got. The food critic, who is best known as a judge on the Australian version of cooking reality show MasterChef alongside chefs Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris, recently celebrated his 50th birthday with a big party in Melbourne. "As you get older, I think you become more comfortable in who you are. Things don't matter so much, all that stuff you agonise over when you are young. You dance with more abandon!" he told New Idea magazine Preston joked that turning 50 is a "trauma", and said that he had a few requests for his birthday. "I would quite like a 40-hour day to spend more time with the family," (more)...
- 8/12/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Gary Mehigan has credited his wife with his success. The MasterChef judge, who has a 10-year-old daughter named Jenna with wife of 20 years Mandy, said that she "keeps everything going" in their household while he is busy filming the show and running his restaurant. Gary told Woman's Day magazine: "I couldn't do it without her. She keeps everything going. But when I'm home, I cook and I love that." The couple met when they were "penniless" students in England. "I fell in love with her straight away," Gary said. "It was those big blue eyes of hers." Mandy added: "What appealed to me was he was just a genuinely nice person. I mean, he was a boy when I met him, but he was very genuine and loving - that's never changed." Mandy revealed that her husband used to work "incredible" (more)...
- 8/10/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
The format of Australian MasterChef may be reviewed next year. Matt Preston, who judges the reality television show alongside chefs Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris, said that producers of the show should take criticism on board after various viewers complained about makeover programme The Renovators being aired in between the two parts of Sunday night's MasterChef final. The food critic told The Daily Telegraph: "Our job is to listen to that criticism and see what is valid," while Mehigan added that the Ten Network should cut the show down to three nights a week. "Channel Ten would never let that happen [but] I don't want to kill it by being on air too much," he said. Mehigan also revealed that he would like to see visual changes (more)...
- 8/9/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
The finalists for Australian MasterChef 2011 have been revealed. Kate Bracks emerged as the second contestant to make it to the final of this year's reality cooking competition after Alana Lowes was eliminated in last night's episode. Michael Weldon had already been announced as the first finalist in a previous challenge. Lowes was sent home after failing to impress the judges with her recreation of celebrity patissier Adriano Zumbo's fairytale gingerbread house. During the task, Lowes and Bracks had to create a roof covered in praline, tiles made from salted caramel, isomalt windows and a garden full of jellies and magic gum mushrooms. After her elimination, judge George Calombaris told Lowes: "The road hasn't come to an end, trust me," while Gary Mehigan praised her "creative touch". She replied: (more)...
- 8/5/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Dani Venn has been eliminated from MasterChef Australia after disappointing in a "food autobiography" challenge. The 25-year-old and her fellow finalists Michael Weldon, Kate Bracks and Alana Lowes were asked to create three courses that told their life story during the three-house challenge. The quartet had all come under fire after serving up raw chicken during a task earlier in the week. As a result, judges George Calombaris, Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan decided to place them all up for elimination instead of the bottom two. Venn said in a live chat with Herald Sun readers that she was happy with the way that producers portrayed her on the show, writing: "I really felt what came across was a true reflection of myself. I am emotional and happy and I was really (more)...
- 8/3/2011
- by By Kate Goodacre
- Digital Spy
The final four contestants on MasterChef have been slammed for plating up inedible food. Dani Venn, Alana Lowes, Kate Bracks and Michael Weldon were challenged to re-create a Maggie Beer chicken terrine in last night's episode but all four served raw chicken. Judges Matt Preston, George Calombaris, Gary Mehigan and Beer revealed that they could not eat some of the dishes for health and safety reasons, with Preston adding: "If a dish comes to your table in a restaurant and the main element is raw, you send it back - you're not happy." All four of the contestants will now face elimination rather (more)...
- 8/2/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Kumar Pereira has left MasterChef. The 62-year-old teacher, who made it to the top 11 of the Australian version of the cooking reality television show, was eliminated after failing to impress the judges with his pork neck steak with a thyme crust. Judges Gary Mehigan and Matt Preston told Pereira that while his pork was "beautifully cooked" and his apple sauce was "delicious", the crust on top of the meat tasted of "flour" and the dish was "loaded with butter". Pereira went head-to-head with Billy Law, Michael Weldon and Peter Vickery in the challenge. Law's chicken and prosciutto with roasted carrots was labelled a "wow" of a dish, with Preston adding: "You're right to be proud and confident. That's a dish that takes you not only to the top ten but potentially the top four." Vickery (more)...
- 6/30/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Gary Mehigan has hit back at critics of MasterChef. The celebrity chef, who is a judge and mentor on the Australian version of the cooking reality television show, said that he is upset by people saying that the judges and bosses treat contestants badly during filming. Former contestant Adam Bowen recently slammed MasterChef producers, claiming that they don't "care" enough about competitors' feelings, while psychologist Janet Hall labelled the programme cruel for taking wannabe chefs away from their loved ones with limited contact. Mehigan told National Features: "A lot has been made of our treatment of contestants this year, from Adam Bowen's exit to psychologists saying we don't care about them. Well, I don't buy into that. "When we go around the country auditioning 8,000 people, from start to finish, (more)...
- 6/29/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Matt Preston has caused controversy with a recent Facebook gaffe. The MasterChef judge, who adjudicates the Australian version of the reality cooking show alongside chefs Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris, announced on the social networking site earlier this week that contestant Hayden Quinn had won a second immunity pin before the episode had been aired. The post read: "So Hayden now has two immunity pins. Do you think he should be able to give one away? He's a nice guy, but maybe not that nice hey?" However, when the challenge aired on television, Quinn failed to win the pin. Many Facebook users responded angrily to Preston's post, telling him that his spoiler had ruined the upcoming episode for them. An hour later, the post was removed and a statement from Channel Ten claimed that it was a "mistype" and should have (more)...
- 6/23/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Last night's MasterChef elimination was changed at the last minute. The judges on the Australian version of the cooking reality series were planning on asking Danielle Dixon to leave the competition but moments before they announced the verdict, fellow contestant Adam Bowen asked if he could drop out instead. Bowen and Dixon earlier went head-to-head with Michael Weldon and Ellie Paxton-Hall to re-create a selection of Greek dishes made by judge George Calombaris's mother Mary. Calombaris and fellow judges Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan said that although Bowen's dishes looked pale and his tzatziki was "so salty", they could not forgive Dixon for plating up raw pastry and greasy food. After the challenge, Bowen told the judging panel that he felt extreme guilt at remaining in the competition because he had decided that being a chef is (more)...
- 6/21/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Jay Huxley has accused the MasterChef judges of preferring sweet dishes. The 31-year-old car sales manager, who was eliminated from the Australian version of the cooking reality TV show earlier this week, said that Matt Preston, George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan's penchant for sugar affected his chances of winning the competition. Huxley was asked to leave the show after failing to impress the judging panel with his interpretation of a Dan Hong pandan chiffon cake. Ellie Paxton-Hall and Dani Venn managed to retain their spots in the contest. The eliminated contestant later told the Herald Sun: "Dessert, pork crackling and onion rings are the ingredients [the judges love]. If you could make a pork cake with onion rings on it, you would be set. "[Desserts] are not something I'm particularly good at because (more)...
- 6/9/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
A former contestant from MasterChef has claimed that the judges "bullied" him. Youth worker Andrew Henderson, who was eliminated from the Australian version of the reality television show last night, said that judge Gary Mehigan's comments about the seafood mousse that landed him in the elimination challenge "hammered" his confidence. Competitors were asked to create a dish using only tinned and frozen ingredients and Henderson created a clam and crab mousse tart and sausage. Mehigan looked at the dish and said: "I'm not really looking forward to tasting it... because I know what's gone in it and just watching you manipulate all that food and over-handle it. Urgh." After sampling it, he said: "That mousse is ghastly. Gag-material," and then refused to taste the tart. Henderson has now told the Herald (more)...
- 6/3/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Andrew Henderson has been eliminated from the Australian version of MasterChef. The 37-year-old youth worker, who has dreams of opening his own bistro in Port Lincoln, found himself going head-to-head with Kumar Pereira in a curry challenge after failing to impress the judges with a fish mousse. The pair were presented with an insipid, tasteless Massaman curry, which they then had to transform into a delicious feast in only eight steps. Although judge Gary Mehigan preferred Henderson's version of the recipe, Pereira won the challenge and kept his spot in the competition. Henderson said of going up against his fellow contestant: "I was cooking a curry against a Sri Lankan, who's got curries in his blood. It was tight though - Gary preferred my dish, but Matt [Preston] preferred Kumar's. His was a lot (more)...
- 6/3/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Chelsea Fammartino has left the Australian version of MasterChef. The 34-year-old from Melbourne, who specialises in Italian cuisine, was eliminated from the competition after going head-to-head with friends and fellow contestants Ellie Paxton-Hall and Rachel McSweeney last night. In the Asian pressure test, the three wannabe chefs had to recreate fried rice, a battered pork dish and a sweet and sour sauce. The judges said McSweeney's food was "fabulous", adding that she got the fried rice "bang on", but they did not enjoy her "dry" pork. Gary Mehigan said that 21-year-old Paxton-Hall's rice was "a let down", but said that he was "swayed" by how "absolutely brilliant" she was to watch in the kitchen. Matt Preston said of her "crunchy" pork batter: "It makes me want to reach (more)...
- 5/24/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Seamus Ashley has revealed that he lost his cooking "mojo" after leaving MasterChef. The 32-year-old web designer from Victoria, who was originally a favourite in the Australian reality TV series but was eliminated last night, admitted that the fish dish that he created in his final challenge was "awful". After failing to impress the judges with sashimi and then a snapper stir fry, Ashley had to go head-to-head with fellow competitor Andrew Henderson, but judge Gary Mehigan preferred Henderson's "delicious" parsley and chilli aioli to Ashley's flavourless snapper with snow peas. Ashley told the Herald Sun: "I felt relaxed (more)...
- 5/20/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Seamus Ashley has left MasterChef. The 32-year-old graphic and web designer from Victoria was eliminated from the Australian culinary reality show after going head-to-head in a cooking challenge with Andrew Henderson. Judge Matt Moran said that Ashley's enoki mushrooms, snow peas and asparagus were cooked "perfectly", but that his snapper was "lacking any saltiness". Although judge Gary Mehigan did not enjoy Henderson's steak, he described his chilli and parsley aioli as "delicious" and put him through to the next round. After the elimination, Mehigan told Ashley: "I need to congratulate you. It's (more)...
- 5/19/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Former MasterChef contestant Alex Glasson has decided to invent a cooking machine. The 27-year-old machinist from Western Australia, who was eliminated from the Aussie version of the reality cooking show in last night's episode, said that he is selling his home in a bid to fund a blueprint design for a "kitchen of the future". According to the Herald Sun, Glasson has already designed his "automated cooking machine" but is yet to get it patented. He said: "I'm putting the house on the market and the next step is a move to Melbourne. Patents also don't come cheap." Glasson was asked to leave the show after failing to impress judges Gary Mehigan, Matt Preston (more)...
- 5/17/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Alex Glasson has left the Aussie version of MasterChef. The 27-year-old machinist from Western Australia, who was brought back to join the top 24 contestants last week after fighter pilot Paul Lombardi quit the show, was eliminated after failing to impress the judges with his interpretation of a cherry and coconut bombe Alaska. Glasson went head-to-head with student nurse Ellie Paxton-Hall and web designer Billy Law in the challenge. After the elimination, judge Gary Mehigan told him: "You should be proud of yourself. You put something up and it looked pretty good. So well done. It's a shame you're going home... you'll be missed sorely." Glasson said: "I'm not going to let this stop me. (more)...
- 5/16/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Pete Evans has revealed that he recently turned down a television job in the Us. The Australian celebrity chef, who is a judge on reality TV show My Kitchen Rules, said that he was forced to "decline" the food presenting role because the filming schedule "clashed" with his My Kitchen Rules commitments. Evans told The Daily Telegraph: "I did have a hosting role for a new TV series over in America but I had to decline as the schedule clashed with the new series of Mkr." MasterChef judge Gary Mehigan recently blasted Evans's series and accused it of being (more)...
- 5/16/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Dancing with the Stars has beaten MasterChef in the ratings war. Sunday night's debut episode of the dancing reality show's new season, which is aired on the Seven network, boasted an average of 1.505 million viewers. MasterChef's weekend episode, which saw judges Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston select the cooking show's top 24 contestants, had an audience of 1.503 million viewers. Seven boss Graeme Hill told the Herald Sun: "It is a ratings war. We strategised a plan and for us to come through and win is terrific for our schedule. We are thrilled." (more)...
- 5/10/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
George Calombaris has revealed that he doesn't want to find out the sex of his unborn baby. The Australian celebrity chef, who is a judge on reality series MasterChef alongside Gary Mehigan, Matt Preston and Matt Moran, said that he and partner Natalie Tricarico are traditional and won't be asking the midwife to tell them the gender of their child. Calombaris told Woman's Day magazine: "I'm a bit old-fashioned that way. There are not many surprises left in life and I want that surprise." The couple announced that they were going to become parents in (more)...
- 5/9/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Freeview will launch a new campaign Everyone loves Freeview, featuring more than 40 competing on-air faces from across its member networks, to reposition Australia’s free digital television service.
“This is testament to the success of the partnership between the free-to-air networks, having all the talent come together to support the campaign. When we talk to viewers about all the Freeview channels, they overwhelmingly love it – especially the huge amount of choice now available to them on the Freeview platform. In this new campaign we have aimed to leverage this love for free-to-air TV to build on the emotional connection Freeview has with its viewers,” said CEO Robin Parkes.The spots were produced by Capitol Productions over three days in Melbourne and Sydney, under the direction of Jane Eakin. Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Les Murray, Gary Mehigan, Tom Williams and Kayne Tremills are some of the celebrities (from Seven, Nine, Ten, ABC and...
“This is testament to the success of the partnership between the free-to-air networks, having all the talent come together to support the campaign. When we talk to viewers about all the Freeview channels, they overwhelmingly love it – especially the huge amount of choice now available to them on the Freeview platform. In this new campaign we have aimed to leverage this love for free-to-air TV to build on the emotional connection Freeview has with its viewers,” said CEO Robin Parkes.The spots were produced by Capitol Productions over three days in Melbourne and Sydney, under the direction of Jane Eakin. Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Les Murray, Gary Mehigan, Tom Williams and Kayne Tremills are some of the celebrities (from Seven, Nine, Ten, ABC and...
- 5/5/2011
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
A contestant on MasterChef has been praised by the judges for failing to produce a dish. South Australian John Hughes, who has cerebral palsy, refused to present his plate to judges George Calombaris, Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan in last night's episode because he felt that it was not up to scratch. After the cake pressure test designed by guest judge Maggie Beer, the winemaker said: "My food's not at a standard to present to my friends [or] my family. I'm not going to present to you guys today. Today you gave me a recipe, but time wise I was out of my depth." Preston told Hughes that he had "guts" to make the decision not to present and (more)...
- 5/4/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Matt Moran has revealed that he can be a "harsh" judge on MasterChef. The celebrity chef, who has joined George Calombaris, Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan on the judging panel in this year's Australian version of the cooking reality show, said that he thought he would be more lenient than he is with contestants. Moran told Woman's Day magazine: "I thought I would be the Mr Nice Guy judge. But I've found I can be pretty harsh! We have high standards because the skill level has gone up this season and the contestants are much more serious about the show. They're (more)...
- 5/4/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
The premiere of MasterChef Australia has beaten the Logie Awards in viewer ratings. The first episode of the third season of the reality cooking show, which stars Matt Preston, George Calombaris, Gary Mehigan and new judge Matt Moran, was the most watched TV programme last night. According to The Daily Telegraph, MasterChef was viewed by 1.569 million people, but the Logie Awards on Channel Nine gained an audience of 1.323 million. All the judges were spotted at the awards show, with Preston even logging on to his Twitter page (more)...
- 5/2/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
One of the judges from MasterChef has slammed a rival cooking show. Gary Mehigan, who is a judge and mentor on the Australian version of the Channel Ten reality television series alongside George Calombaris and Matt Preston, said that My Kitchen Rules is a copycat version of their show. Mehigan told National Features: "My Kitchen Rules is quite obviously a blatant rip-off. The set looks similar to ours and the phrases are the same," while food critic Preston added: "I hear that [My Kitchen Rules judge] Manu [Feildel] has borrowed my speech just in case he wins a Logie this year." Preston also insisted that MasterChef is his "priority" (more)...
- 4/28/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
One of the judges from the Australian version of MasterChef has revealed that he has got rid of any "d**khead" elements to the show. Matt Preston, who is a judge and mentor on the reality television series alongside George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan, said that he didn't enjoy last year's season as much because there was too much melodrama. Preston told NineMSN: "In series two, we were all overly dramatic. We were all 'performing' for the first half, and as soon as we saw what it was like on the TV, we went, 'Oh my God, that is so ridiculous, (more)...
- 4/27/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
The judges on the Australian version of MasterChef have revealed that this year's season will be different to the last. Chefs George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan, together with food critic Matt Preston, said that after last year's very difficult challenges, they really want to see the contestants do "well" on this series. Calombaris told the Herald Sun: "We have tweaked the challenges. We still want great food. We want to see people succeed and do well." Preston added: "[This (more)...
- 4/27/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
George Calombaris has promised that this year's MasterChef Australia will be a "big deal". The Aussie celebrity chef, who has been a judge on the reality cooking show alongside Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan since it started in 2009, said that fans should start getting excited for the May 1 premiere. At the launch of the third season, Calombaris told The Daily Telegraph: "[It's a] big, big deal." He also said that he, Preston and Mehigan are not on the show "because of [their looks] but because of their "love of food". Preston admitted that he finds the show "exciting" because of food (more)...
- 4/15/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
The premiere of this year's MasterChef Australia is poised to go head-to-head with live coverage of the Logie Awards. The Channel Ten cooking reality show, which is judged by Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris, is scheduled to return for its third series on May 1, the same day that the Australian TV awards event is held. According to The Daily Telegraph, MasterChef will kick off at 7.30pm and run for 90 minutes, crossing over significantly with the red carpet arrivals and start of the presentations of the Logies. Last (more)...
- 4/1/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Matt Moran has been involved in a skiing accident. The Australian celebrity chef, who recently joined the judging panel on reality cooking show MasterChef, is returning home to undergo surgery after sustaining a serious knee injury in Aspen. Moran, who stepped in to replace judge Gary Mehigan last year when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament, will reportedly be on (more)...
- 1/19/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Gary Mehigan has revealed that he is trying to get fit. The chef, who judges MasterChef Australia alongside Matt Preston and George Calombaris, said that he is having "fun" being active with the young contestants in Junior MasterChef. Mehigan told Woman's Day magazine that he is "working out with a personal trainer" and admitted that he has gained weight during the reality cookery show due to snacking on (more)...
- 9/24/2010
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Anna Gare has revealed that she is very impressed with the standard of cooking on the Australian version of Junior MasterChef. The 41-year-old chef and television host, who judges the reality TV series with Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris, said that the innocence of the 8 to 12-year-old contestants enhances their skills in the kitchen. Gare told Who magazine: "It's unbelievable - I've learnt a couple of tricks. I had the best cupcakes I've ever had in my life the other day; the little girl used cream instead of butter. Everyone cooks differently and sometimes the (more)...
- 9/15/2010
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
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