If you loved MasterChef, then get ready for the new, exciting Celebrity MasterChef. We chatted to George Calombaris about all things food.
Do you remember the first time you cooked something and thought, “This is what I want to do”?
I have always been attached to my mother’s apron strings. I have been around food all my life. My mom and grandmother are great cooks and were the main inspirations for me to become a chef.
What is your favourite recipe to eat and favourite to make?
I love cooking in general. It’s the joy of creating something from nothing and being able to give it to someone to eat. Then seeing their emotion once they have eaten it and loved it. At home I cook the simple things like roast chicken and salads. For me at home its all about the comfort in food.
With Celebrity MasterChef about to launch, what can you tell us about it?
We it’s a bit like an entrée to tie you over before we get to Series 2 of Master Chef for the main course. It will be treated the same in terms of standard and we will not accept any crap food!
Do you have an early favourite?
HMMM. No I don’t have favorites but I am surprised at the level of skill, passion and commitment to food they have. They can cook!
What should we expect?
Expect new challenges, inspirational food and on the edge tv. Very exiting. Again tv that the whole family can watch together.
Did you expect the first season of MasterChef to take off like it did?
No, I am always scared when I open a new restaurant. But I guess at the end of the day when you have a commitment of cast and crew as well as a network of passionate people and lots of hard work things usually work.
What was your favourite moment of the first season of MasterChef?
When Julie won and her family came in to see her. “FOOD IS FAMILY, FAMILY IS LIFE, LIFE IS EVERYTHING.”
What is your favourite type of wine? What do you recommend coming into summer?
I love a rose coming into summer. Chilled with some simply cooked seafood. Yum !
Can you share the cooking tip you’ve been given?
My Mum told me to, “Cook only from the heart or else not cook at all”
Worst tasting meal you’ve made/disaster in the kitchen?
Never cooked a disaster. But never believe a chef that tells you he has cooked the most perfect dish. Perfection is something my chefs and I strive for every day. We never get there but we sure do get close.
What’s your food weakness?
Ice Cream
What are you most proud of?
In my professional life I am proud of all my restaurants and being able to have customers wanting to book weeks in advance to come in. For me my customers are my reward as well as my staff at work and partners who believe in me.
What makes you nervous?
The thought of a bad dining experience and bad food. There is nothing worse in life than that.
Who do you think is a master chef?
It’s a figure of speech. I am a cook that became a chef. Master Chefs are anyone that can cook fresh food and do it with respect to the produce and the person they are giving it to.
Head to the Brisbane Good Food & Wine show, Nov 6-8 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre to see Gary, George and a host of other celebrity chefs including Ben O'Donoghue, Tobie Puttock, Alastair McLeod and Matt Moran.
Brisbane Good Food and Wine show
Tickets
Adult: $20.00
Child (6 - 16yrs): $16.00
Concession/Groups (10+): $18.00
* Tickets to LG Celebrity Theatre sessions incur an additional $2.50.
Tickets are available now through Ticketek or www.goodfoodshow.com.au
Catch George, Gary, Matt and a host of your favourite celebrities on Celebrity MasterChef, Wednesday, 7.30pm Network Ten.
Your say: Who is your favourite MasterChef judge? Which celebrity do you think has what it takes to win the title? Share with us below...
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