But where’s George? Gary Mehigan and Matt Preston reunite to host free children’s cooking class after getting dumped from MasterChef and pair up with MKR rival Manu Feildel
They were ousted from MasterChef in July last year after their contract negotiations stalled.
But on Thursday, Matt Preston, 58, and Gary Mehigan, 53, reunited in the name of a good cause – teaching children how to cook so they can ‘help out’ their parents at home.
The duo were, surprisingly, joined by My Kitchen Rules judge Manu Feildel, 46, instead of their old sidekick George Calombaris, as they put together a pasta dish with a rich chocolate dessert.
But where’s George? Former MasterChef judges Gary Mehigan (left) and Matt Preston (right) reunited on Thursday to host free children’s cooking classes with NSW Education Live
The video was shared on the NSW Live Education website and is an initiative to ‘help the students of NSW to kick start their learning’ while homeschooling during the coronavirus pandemic.
‘We love food, we think it’s a great thing to learn to cook, so we’re going to make something very simple. It’s one of Australia’s most favourite dishes and it’s spaghetti carbonara,’ Matt announced.
Manu added he was in charge of dessert.
‘It’s Chocolate Mousse, and it’s the greatest dessert in France,’ he said.
Joining in: The former MasterChef judges were, surprisingly, joined by My Kitchen Rules judge Manu Feildel (pictured) , 46, instead of their old sidekick George Calombaris
With Manu at a separate workbench so the trio could maintain appropriate social distancing, Gary set about showing Matt how to make delectable pasta from scratch and whip up the sauce made from bacon, cheese and eggs.
While the pair were reminiscing about their school days as they cooked, Matt revealed to a shocked Gary he’d been a big trouble maker back in his youth.
‘I nearly got expelled once,’ he said, before refusing to elaborate further.
Done after a decade: Gary Mehigan, Matt Preston and George Calombaris (centre) wrapped up their judging and hosting duties on MasterChef Australia after 11 years on the show last year
After an impressive display showing off his circus skills by juggling eggs, Manu set about putting together the decadent dessert.
As they sat down to sample their finished dishes, Matt shared some important advice for children during the COVID-19 crisis.
‘You’ve got to remember your parents are going to be doing it tough at the moment, so help them out, offer to do stuff,’ he said.
Success: Audiences have quickly warmed to the new judges, (pictured left to right) Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo, with the premiere of MasterChef Back to Win pulling in 1.23million viewers, the programs highest ratings for the last five years
It comes after Gary and Matt finished up as judges with MasterChef after eleven years on the hit program.
The pair were dumped, along with fellow co-host George Calombaris, after they were unable to renegotiate their contracts in July.
It came after embattled restauranter George admitted to underpaying staff at his Melbourne restaurants nearly $8 million.
The popular trio were replaced this year by Melissa Leong, Jock Zonfrillo and Andy Allen.
Audiences have quickly warmed to the new panel, with the premiere of MasterChef Back to Win pulling in 1.23million viewers, the programs highest ratings for the last five years.