Beer reality check
Chef as a special guest for the eighth time.
“There is this glimpse (on television shows) but they have to earn it for success to be sustained.
“So long as they are not wanting to do this for fame but for the love of food and learning and creativity (they will excel).
“The fame thing can get in the way.
“What MasterChef Australia does is give them the food equivalent of a sea change – to see if it (a career in food) is just a hobby or if they want to take it further.”
Beer, who also hosts The Great Australian Bake Off, said she plans to scale her television commitments back as she works on the Maggie Beer foundation and her multi-million dollar food products empire.
“I don’t need it (television),” Beer said.
“I have to put it aside in my life because I don’t have a lot of time for it. There is a thing about it taking over your life which I run away from.”
Busy with her off-screen pursuits, at 72 Beer has firmly poo-pooed the idea of finishing work any time soon.
“I see no point in retiring,” she said.
“I’m not living my life waiting for things to get easier. I’m doing things that I love and I have a platform to do things that I care about as well.
“In the business side of my life I drive all the product development which is really exciting. My foundation is a journey for the rest of my life.
“I’m not very good at balance. I seem to take on too much.
“But I’m lucky I have huge energy and a family and community life that gives me amazing grounding.”