As you all know I am a
massive fan of My Kitchen Rules, Australia. So imagine how excited
I was to have a personal interview with 2016 winners of My Kitchen Rules
winners Tasia and Gracia.
These two phenomenal young
ladies not only broke a My Kitchen Rules record, earning the highest score ever
in the show’s “ultimate instant restaurant” round, but also a record rating of nearly 2 million viewers who watched the final.
My Interview.
So before MKR what were you both doing?
Tasia: I finished my post grad in 2014. I did my Bachelor in Psychology and then went
on to study counselling. I worked part-time at a hotel and part-time at an
after school.
Gracia: I finished my Masters in March 2015 in Bio Medical
and Health Sciences and I also worked part time at a restaurant.
Why did decide to apply to MKR?
Tasia: Applying for MKR was a
5 year "work in progress.” We had been watching the series since season 2
aired. Although we were eager to apply, we both had university commitments. So
in 2016, when we both had finished our studies we jumped at the opportunity,
applied and got into the competition.
Part of the reason we applied
was to prove to our family that we can cook together and can do so without
killing each other!
What was going through your head when you
both walked in MKR headquarters for the first time?
Gracia: It was so surreal.
Having watched it for so many years being there in the flesh felt like an out
of body experience. It was like I was watching myself being in the room, I had
to pinch myself to be in the moment.
Tasia: It was an amazing
feeling but at the same time it was unbelievable. I remember saying to Gracia,
OMG, OMG, as we walked down the room. Watching it every year and actually being
there is an experience I will never forget.
Watching you both on the show there was no
doubt in my mind from the start you both were amazing cooks with a passion for
food. What is your inspiration?
Gracia : Our inspiration is
definitely our mum and grandma. Having
moved a lot when we were younger the one thing that made it feel like home was
mum's home cooked meals whenever we came home from school. Food became a very important part of our
family's tradition. Dinner parties and
celebration would revolve around food, it was our way of showing the new people
in our lives a little bit about our family traditions and cultures.
Cooking in your own kitchen for the instant
restaurant rounds, you were familiar with your surroundings. I recall in the ultimate movie challenge you
didn’t have enough fryers. So how hard
is it cooking in unfamiliar environments?
Gracia: It is very difficult
to cook at an unfamiliar environment, you need to learn to adapt quickly and
work with the kitchen you get. We were lucky during that challenge that Tasia
thought quickly on her feet and decided to borrow deep fryers from Alex and
Gareth, Rosie and Paige. We were lucky
that the teams from our season supported each other and that they allowed us to
use their equipment. Many times out of kitchen HQ or the Instant restaurants
there is limited equipment, which is all part of the challenge.
Am I right in saying the show takes six
months to film? So did you get used to the cameras being on you?
Tasia: The show felt like it took forever to film. It was very difficult for the both of us to
be away from family for so long. We did get use to the camera being there, but
then sometimes you felt so vulnerable because there are people recording, following
everything you do and say. That was the hardest challenge, to forget about
everything else and just focus and COOK.
When MRK judge Colin Fassnidge told you he
saw your ‘faces on a bottle’, did you already have a plan to market your
sauces?
Tasia: Not at all. At that time we both lacked confidence and it
took us until the final to finally believe
that we had got this. Regardless, we both wanted to pursue in the food
industry. However we both took Colin's
advice and have started our sauce line, it launched last November and we are
loving it.
Thank you ladies, it has been a joy talking
to you today.
Life after MKR
v
Invite us to your next dinner!
For an extraordinary private dining experience, we will work
with you to create the perfect ultimate instant restaurant at the convenient of
your own home. This range from Birthday, Bridal party, Hens night or other
special occasion celebrations. We will assist with the entire journey, planning
& suggesting ways to craft an experience that is unique and exceptional for
you and your guests.
Yes, we also offer company catering for shared lunches or
range of canapes and finger foods.
We offer menus that cater for intimate shared menus dinners
or larger sit down events. We will create together a menu design to take you
and your guests a tour around Asia, using bold and authentic flavours with a
modern twist in our way of food presentation. Make sure you get in touch to
make your event extra special!
For more details of booking Tasia and Gracia
Events
Ubud Food Festival
Fri, May 12,
2017, 10:00am – Sun, May 14, 2017, 5:00pm
COME AND JOIN US IN BALI THIS MAY
A three-day culinary adventure with Indonesian food as the
star, the Ubud Food Festival is returning to Bali's culinary capital from 12-14
May this year. Packed with live cooking demonstrations, hands-on masterclasses,
special events, food forums, culinary cruises, markets, live music, film
screenings and more, the UFF17 is the perfect way to sink your teeth into all
things delicious and diverse in Indonesian cuisine.
Stay tuned for my next blog on T G a few of my favourite
Tasia and Gracia recipes and products.
Follow Tasia
and Gracia
