So my super pals over at Food24.com sent me down to the media launch of the Good Food & Wine Show the other day. Thoroughly out of my depth and properly underdressed, I skirted the fringes of the high heeled and nibbled on the delicious hors d’oeuvres that were circling. There were loads of funky people from all kinds of magazines and television shows I’d never heard of, falling at the feet of a couple of much more well known food celebrities.
Masterchef Australia Season 2 winner Adam Liaw was the unofficial guest of honour, accompanied by Masterchef colleague Alvin Quah, pink-haired award winning chef and television personality Silvena Rowe and Cook Yourself Thin’s Sophie Michell. Among the local cooking elite was recent Jo’burg defector David Higgs, Saxon Head Chef Nancy Kinchela and… hold on… is that Jeremy Mansfield?
From their short and sweet introductions, all of the immensely talented international food stars came across as humble, genuinely keen to be in the country and ready to teach, learn and entertain.
And then…
Jeremy Mansfield wobbled up to the mic in a Zhoosh embroidered chef’s coat in an embarrassing attempt to stake his claim as someone who should actually be there.
Mansfield is the Barnyard Theatre of SA Cooking. Ja, a lot of people buy his books – not because he knows how to cook, but because they’ve heard his name somewhere. The way he waltzed up to the mic and performed a cringe-worthy twohander with wife (and wearer of the highest red heels I have ever seen) Jacqui, was an embarrassment.
And after making a douche of himself once, the Rude Awakener wobbled in for round two and let us all know that he’s going to be hosting Masterchef SA. Nuts. Maybe he’s playing Matt Preston? He has the jowls, but not the cravat. But enough Mansfield bashing.
I’m just not a fan.
I mean, the guy was a complete cheese-bag as a faceless early morning voice on my mom’s car radio during the school run, but in person, he’s like your fat uncle trying to make a funny impromptu speech at his daughter’s wedding.
Ja, ja I know the big guy sells cookbooks. Hell, I’ve got a copy of Zhoosh in my kitchen (thanks mom) – but let’s be honest, he’s more Michelin Man, than Michelin-starred.
What do you guys think? Will he make a good host for MasterChef SA?