Filming of Master Chef

Posted: 12/02/2010 3:44:55 p.m.

Filming of Master Chef has disappeared into the past, and now it’s time to listen and digest the reaction. I have to say that I really enjoyed the filming of the show. We met some wonderful people and met some really delightful characters. Emotions ran high and tears were not entirely confined to the disappointed contestants. You have to be one “mean son of a Chef” to not feel the disappointment when so much passion has gone into the entry. As we observed the contestants there would not have been one session where we as judges didn’t take something positive away.
There are entrants who I would employ in a heartbeat and I am confident that if they continue to pursue the dream it will happen for them. Setbacks are part of the journey and the trick is to be able to bounce back. I recall my determination to work at Thornbury Castle years ago. I just kept going back until, as luck would have it, another chef had that day been asked to resign. The first NO is never the acceptable answer so the question just needs to be asked over and over until the NO becomes a YES.
The media have asked the judges all manner of questions from what we would order for our last meal on earth to what is the worst mistake we have ever made in the kitchen. Some of these I have had some difficulty taking seriously, but in the main have tried to answer constructively. As regards the last meal on earth; I am left wondering who are involved in arranging the necessity for this menu planning. My worst mistake in the kitchen is still in the planning stage because I believe it is still to come. It’s a bit like asking a perfectly healthy and active person “have you lived here all of your life”? The answer to this, like my biggest mistake, is “not yet”.
Another question that was put was what menu item I would recommend for people dining in our restaurants. The Boquerón would be my answer. More specific information can be found by visiting http://www.souschef.co.nz where they can be purchased for the home chef using the online facility. If this has faint connotations of an infomercial I have got to say you the reader are most perceptive.
“Trouble at Mill“ with Euro Restaurant, we managed somehow to extend the cooking temperatures to the ventilation ducts from the kitchen. Great drama when it all caught fire. Restaurant closed for days until we decided that the dried up cash flow could not be sustained. We resorted to cooking outdoors on barbeques and did a great turnover. Nothing like novelty and an example of getting on with it despite the difficulties.
On the recreational side during Waitangi weekend we displayed our Thunder Mustang at the Tauranga air show. Superb weather and very professional organization. Congratulations to the show organizers; we would gladly accept an invitation to the next show. Lots of interest in the aircraft and we distributed many posters to interested small as well as adult children. Many enquiries as to whether we will display at Wings over Wanaka at Easter but sadly no invitation has been forthcoming. For anyone interested in the Thunder Mustang there is a wealth of information on our website http://www.kiwithunder.com