ADAM LIAW
The chef and TV host, 41, is one of the contestants on Celebrity Mastermind (starts Sat., Feb. 15 at 7.30pm; SBS) and presents a documentary about Vietnamese cooking school KOTO working with homeless youth on Dateline (Tue., Feb 25 at 9pm; SBS).
How nervous were you about competing on Celebrity Mastermind?
Not at all in the lead-up, but as soon as I stepped into the arena I was absolutely terrified. I was surprised because I don’t get nervous speaking in front of crowds or even on TV – it’s literally my job – but for some reason this format scared the hell out of me. Your expert topic, Asian food, seems like a no-brainer.
I picked it precisely so I wouldn’t have to do extra research. I really should know this stuff, but then [fellow contestant] Sam Simmons got in my ear about how broad the topic was and I started to doubt myself. There’s an awful lot of information to cover!
What prompted your Dateline doco?
I do a lot of work with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through my role on the board of the Australia-Japan Foundation, my work with UNICEF and as an ambassador for the Australia Now program. I was already doing work with organisations in South-East Asia that are focused on disadvantaged children, so when Dateline started to look into the same areas, I put my hand up straight away. You’re quite vocal on Twitter – have you had any backlash? All the time. I’m not trying to be an activist or push an agenda – there’s a bit too much of that already. Everyone’s too focused on trying to win a fight and not on actually trying to solve a problem with a clear head.
I just comment on things I see to be true. It’s not like I’m going to stay quiet or lie because some people might not like what I have to say.