MANU & COLIN’S KIWI CRUSH
He’s currently hosting MKR Australia, but Manu Feildel admits he prefers Aotearoa to Oz – and he wants to retire on Waiheke Island!
“The country is still untouched, gorgeous and beautiful, and the cities aren’t as crazy,” the French foodie tells Woman’s Day. “I love the way you guys have combined the two cultures, the Ma-ori and the European, which is different to Australia.
“And then there is the amazing seafood and wine. I love the pinot noir from Central Otago. Also, when you go to the supermarket, the produce is different – more brands from
Europe and the UK, while Australia is a bit more Americanised. My wife would love it here too, although we’ll wait for the kids to grow and leave home.”
Manu, 48, was in Auckland with wife Clarissa and their daughter Charlee to announce the 2023 return of My Kitchen Rules New Zealand, which he’ll host alongside fellow celebrity chef Colin Fassnidge.
Also a firm fan of all things Kiwi, the Irish star says, “I’ve got a lot of friends over here and we use a lot of the produce, so I come over here a lot for a bit of diving and spearfishing. You’ve got the best seafood in the world and I drink a lot of your pinot! Queenstown and Nelson are beautiful. Actually, New Zealand reminds me a bit of Ireland – the green, the dairy and the seafood.”
Replacing controversial cook Pete Evans, Colin, 48, tells us, “Manu is the clown and I’m the firmer judge, although I’m a lot nicer now I’ve got older and my daughter is a teenager. I’m beaten down in my house. I’m on the lowest rung of the ladder, so it’s good to come over and escape!”
He encourages Kiwi foodies to apply for the TVNZ 2 reality series at tvnz.co.nz/mkrnz, adding, “I want to see characters who are proud of their Kiwi heritage – they really make the show.”
Also revealed at the TVNZ launch in Auckland was the Celebrity Treasure Island spin-off Treasure Island: Fans vs Faves, which will see eight previous castaways (including at least one winner!) battle it out against eight super-fans of the show in Fiji in January.
ZM radio star Bree Tomasel returns for a fourth season, with Shortland Street star Jayden Daniels replacing Matt Chisholm as her co-host.
The actor says, “You can expect game-changing twists, curveballs and a whole bunch of surprises!”