18_Masterchef interview EDITED.qxd 10/27/2013 7:27 PM Page 20

18 BRUNCH DATE “I Love The Honesty Of Indian Food” Masterchef’s chubby chef Gary talks judging, eating, being nice, and living it up in his hometown by Antoine Lewis

VERYBODY LOVES Gary. One of three permanent judges on Masterchef EAustralia and Junior Masterchef, the chubby chef has endeared himself to viewers across India with his happy laugh, tactfully worded advice and gentle encouragement to struggling con- testants. He reminds us of that kindly uncle we all love. Off- screen, chef is just as nice. He’s written a number of cookbooks and runs the award- winning restaurant Fenix in . In recently at the invitation of Tourism Victoria, we caught up with Mehigan at the Grand Hyatt, Mumbai for a quick chat over tea and biscuits Chefs are notorious for being unfriendly and rude. How did you turn Photo: VIDYA SUBRAMANIAN out to be such a nice guy? Times have changed. There’s no the Indians in know that. you’re making. You’re never quite ered with phyllo pastry) and room for [Gordon] Ramsay and Rishi Desai (from the current sea- sure what the motivations are. spanakopita (spinach pie). [Marco Pierre] White behaving the son) is very creative. He wants to [email protected] way they do. When I worked in turn Indian food upside down. I Take us through your Melbourne. nearly 30 years ago, that don’t want him to turn it upside Where should an Indian visitor go? BITE SIZE was how chefs were per- down too much Go eat breakfast because it’s the Ever wanted to steal one ceived: very aggressive, because I love the essential Melbourne experience. of ’s very competitive. Today, tradition, I love the Go to Seven Seeds in Brunswick. I cravats? if you behave badly,you On Junior honesty and the go to the places that do great eggs; Never. Only one won’t be able to retain Masterchef, flavours of some of creative stuff like huevos man can wear a your staff; you won’t be the dishes. rancheros with a little salsa and suit that looks a the kids made like a tablecloth able to build a reputa- fresh herbs. and get away with tion. And this is espe- us laugh so Masterchef or Junior Go to Footscray,where the it. cially true in Australia. Masterchef: which is Vietnamese community live, for One Indian dish you Over the years I’ve much, we’d more fun to host? great spring rolls; Road for can’t cook. become a better manag- have sore I really enjoyed North African and Lebanese; Dosa. I just can’t do it. er. The way I manage Junior Masterchef. Gary’s Quality Meats and One Indian you want to my staff is exactly the cheeks! What the audience Claringbold’s Seafoods at Prahran cook for. Maybe Sachin Tendulkar. But also way I deal with the con- never knew is that Market. At Prahran, you’ll have to Pallavi Sharda, a Melbourne girl who’s testants on the show. the kids made us stop yourself from buying every- making it big in . Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK Always present the negative, but laugh so much, we used to go home thing: free-range eggs, beautiful One dish you can’t resist. follow it with a positive. with sore cheeks! What’s nice fruits and vegetables, prosciuttos A gooey chocolate cake, a little bit about it is that they’re doing it and hams. There’s a little shop crisp on the outside with thick cream. Do Indian contestants bring anything because they love it. There are no called Sweet Greek run by a beauti- Why are you @crispycrackling on different to Masterchef Australia? ulterior motives, no book deals, no ful woman who makes lovely pas- Twitter? They do. Indian food in Australia is prizes. The adults are different. It’s tries like bougatsa (semolina cus- Because we’re all obsessed with pork on the show! very under represented and I think about strategy,about the play tard, cheese, or minced meat lay-

OCTOBER 27, 2013