When Colin Mathura-Jeffree throws a party, it’s just like his personality – sumptuous, glamorous and unashamedly over the top. “I like things that are decadent, rich and a bit naughty – just like me!” laughs Colin, who reaches his milestone 40th
birthday next month, just days after reappearing on our screens as the host of TV3’s hit show Chelsea New Zealand’s Hottest Home Baker. “I’m a very free person – I have no shackles. Maybe I need a couple,” he jokes.
The half-Indian, half-English former model is surrounded by two of his favourite things – good friends and good food – at the historic Alberton House in Auckland, close to his family home. This party clearly brings back memories for the presenter. “I grew up around food and parties like this, but you don’t appreciate how fabulous a high tea is until you’re older,” says Colin.
The star invited his close friends, Hottest Home Baker judge Julia Crownshaw, Firstline and The Nation presenter Rachel Smalley, and The Breeze’s Easy Morning Wakeup show hosts Robert Scott and Robert Rakete, to celebrate with him. “This kind of food reminds me of growing up. My family are very expressive and, for me, food represents love. If you have a party and share food, you’re showing people you love them.”
It’s a concept Colin credits for being the reason why the show became a hit. “Food is a very emotive thing, which I think is why baking is so back in vogue,” he explains. “We live in a world that’s so fast. Communication is by text, Twitter, or Facebook update. More than ever before, someone baking for you is an example of the human touch we’re missing.
“I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t be emotionally affected by someone going to the effort of baking for them.” Despite his love of the “personal touch” baking gives, Colin admits he prefers to enjoy the end product. “I’m not a baker, but I am an eater!” he laughs, tucking into a huge piece of four-stack chocolate cake Julia has made.
“I love trifle, rum balls and lamingtons – ooh lamingtons, all dripping in jelly and rolled in coconut. If I could be a piece of baking, I’d be a lamington.”
“Colin is a really funny guy. He keeps me smiling,” says Julia, who makes her TV debut on the show.
“We did get into a bit of trouble though. Colin and I got hungry during filming, so we snuck out the back of the set and we got caught on camera eating from 12 tubs of ice cream we found!”
“Julia and I just hit it off – she’s so up for the game,” smiles Colin, mischievously. “I knew I was going to lead her astray. We worked wonderfully together on the show. “I’m not pretentious enough to call myself a seasoned presenter, but I do know a few things. I was quite protective of Julia because when I first started on TV, I wasn’t always given directions. It’s good to have someone to help.”
Despite the trial and error start to his TV career, Colin says he’s grown as a presenter. “I’m very confi dent in who I am. I’ve been hired to be 100% Colin on the show. “That’s one of the reasons hosting a baking show suits me I think – just like baking, I’m engaging and a temptation, and when you have too much of me, you can get sick of it!”
