A host of celebrity chefs and food identities will soon appear alongside Manu Feildel and Nigella Lawson on Channel 7’s “MKR”.
The lineup includes former “MasterChef Australia” judges Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan, as well as chefs and TV personalities Curtis Stone and Colin Fassnidge.
Preston and Mehigan were judges on Channel 10’s “MasterChef” from its inception in 2009 until Season 11 in 2019.
They, along with fellow judge, George Calombaris, were replaced for 2020’s Season 12 by Melissa Leong, Andy Allen and Jock Zonfrillo.
Preston and Mehigan then appeared on Channel 7’s “Plate of Origin” in 2020 alongside Feildel, however the show wasn’t renewed.
Fassnidge, meanwhile, placed fifth on the 2021 season of Channel 10’s “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here”, which was ultimately won by Abbie Chatfield.
The personality-heavy judging lineup of “MKR” fills the void left by Pete Evans, who didn’t have his contract renewed with Channel 7 in 2020.
Preston said on “MKR” he’s looking for tasty and unpretentious cooking.
“Don’t show off,” he said. “Bring us the food you cook at home that your friends and family love. Also, your instant restaurant is not a place for first-time experimentation. Minimise your risks.”
“MKR” premiered this year to 503,000 metro viewers, with a total national audience of 767,000.