Irish-born chef Colin Fassnidge reveals his daughters want him to quit as a judge and co-host on MKR Australia – for one hilarious reason.
“They’re at the age in school where apparently I’m cringe,” laughs Colin, 51, who has girls Lily, 14, and Maeve, 13, with wife Jane Hyland. “They don’t want to see their dad on TV. I like to remind them to look above their heads. They ask, ‘What? The roof?’ And I say, ‘Yes, this show is what gives you that!’”
Colin and his fellow MKR judge, French-born chef Manu Feildel, swap cheeky banter. It’s obvious that they’re great mates as well as colleagues.
“Manu’s wife said it best on Instagram,” Colin says. “She wrote, ‘You see my husband more than I do.’ We spent eight months on the road together last year for MKR New Zealand, which we’ve done twice, and we’re about to go back to do another show, which we get to do in a caravan.
“We get on each other’s nerves when we don’t know when to shut up. He also doesn’t like it when I fart.”
Adds Manu, 50, “But if we do have an argument, it never lasts more than a day.”
Colin clarifies that it’s Manu who’s the “grumpy one” and is “always right”.
“OK, Mr Happy,” Manu fires back. “But you’re right – I do know everything.”
Manu – who has daughter Charlee, eight, with his chef wife Clarissa, plus son Jonti, who is 19, from a previous relationship – has been a judge on MKR since it started in 2010. Colin joined the show as a guest judge in 2013 and has co-hosted it with Manu for the past two years.
The competition is made up of two-person teams of everyday cooks who have to set up an instant restaurant in their homes and serve a three-course dinner to the judges – and the opposing teams – to try to win the title and a prize of $100,000.
With the show in its 14th season, the pair are proud of the “baby” they’ve been a part of creating and that’s so loved.
“When I was talking to people about how long it’s been going, everyone felt shocked. No one could believe how long it’s been,” Manu says. “I was very green at the beginning. It’s a show that started 15 years ago from scratch and it’s still successful. It has evolved in many ways and it is still alive, so I am pretty proud of it.”
Six teams are competing in 2024, with Colin revealing he was served the best dessert he’s ever tasted – on MKR or anywhere else – this season.
“Every year, someone transports us to somewhere we haven’t been,” he explains. “That’s the beauty of food. It was amazing.”
There’s also drama between the teams to keep viewers entertained. Manu laughs, “There is a pinch of fights!”
Colin adds, “But it’s funny drama. It’s not nasty like it could get years ago, although one team is always definitely a common denominator in all the drama.”
Away from MKR, the pair both have gigs that keep them busy. But although Colin embarked on a solo venture in February – as a food presenter on Aussie series Better Homes And Gardens – there’s still a connection to Manu.
“I told the producers I know a great cook and it’s not Manu – it’s his wife Clarissa,” Colin says. “She now works there too. It’s a real family vibe. She’s a better presenter than we are!”
Speaking of new presenters, last season, the lads were joined by the legendary Nigella Lawson as a guest judge. However, she wasn’t available this year, so they’ve got MasterChef Australia winner Julie Goodwin, 53, coming in for the grand finale.
“Julie’s a home cook and this is a home-cooking show, so it fits pretty well,” says Manu with a smile.
Colin adds, “We’ve both known Julie since season one of that other show that doesn’t do very well! We’re great friends and she embodies what the show is about. She understands what all the contestants are going through. She’s going to steal our jobs!”
MKR Australia returns 7.30pm Sunday, 20 October on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+.
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