As My Kitchen Rules (MKR) gears up for another mouthwatering season on Channel 7, judges Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge have shared their excitement and a few tasty insights ahead of the premiere.
The dynamic duo, who have been hosting Australia’s greatest dinner parties for more than a decade, revealed what keeps the show fresh and why it continues to captivate Australian audiences.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge in the new season of MKR.
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For Feildel, it’s the combination of factors that makes the show a joy to be part of year after year.
“Different contestants, different cuisines, travelling around the country, working with your best mate,” the French-Australian chef tells 7NEWS.com.au.
“I mean, it’s not rocket science — it’s easy to enjoy,” Fassnidge echoes the sentiment, emphasising the importance of their strong partnership.
“If we didn’t get on, this show would never work,” he says.
As for what viewers can expect this season, Feildel hinted at an impressive lineup of contestants dishing out some of the best home-cooked meals in the competition’s history as the celebrity chefs travel the country.
“Yeah, I mean every year there’s a surprise,” he says.
“Some can cook better than others, but we are always surprised by some of them. And this year, the scores are higher than ever before … I was absolutely gobsmacked.”
This season brings the highest score in MKR history with Feildel declaring the dish was the “best dish I’ve ever had on MKR in 14 years”.
One of the unique aspects of MKR is the exploration of diverse cuisines and cultures.
Reflecting on the last decade, Feildel noted the prevalence of Italian cuisine in Australia but also praised the variety of other cuisines featured on the show.
“We’ve had a lot of Italian food, which seems to be one of the biggest cuisines in Australia, but we’ve got some amazing Asian and Indian food … not much French!
“I think it’s too complicated for people,” he says with a laugh.
If the tables were turned and the judges had to create an Instant Restaurant, the menus would reflect their rich culinary heritages.
Irish-born Fassnidge, known for his love of hearty dishes, shared his ideal menu: “I would do pork shoulder, obviously there is some sort of potato dish in there, and ice cream for dessert.
“I’m a big lover of pork — it’s beautiful. The shoulder is one of those pieces of meat that, when you cook it for so long, you can basically eat it with a spoon.
“It’s so soft, and the skin gets that crackling … so that to me is heaven.”
Feildel, staying true to his French roots, would offer a classic spread.
“I’d probably do a double-baked cheese soufflé to start, you know, something quite full of flavour. I’d do some beef cheek bourguignon, soothing red wine, and some really buttery mashed potatoes.”
MKR returns to Channel 7 and 7plus 7.30pm, Monday 9 September.
