Balancing a chair on his chin, and eating cold leftovers, it’s Manu Feildel like you’ve never seen him

He’s known for his love of sauce and for being the nice judge on My Kitchen Rules. And the French chef has just teamed up with his partner Clarissa Weerasena to write a new cookbook, More Please!

Chef Manu Fieldel tells all ...

He’s known for his love of sauce and for being the nice judge on My Kitchen Rules. And the French chef has just teamed up with his partner Clarissa Weerasena to write a new cookbook, More Please! (Murdoch Books, $39.99) with their own spin on favourite dishes from Spain, Italy and the Middle East.

Here’s what Manu Feildel had to say when he spoke candidly with Renata Gortan.

My morning routine is … Wake up, go and see my daughter for a cuddle, shower, coffee, then out the door.

Open my fridge and you’ll find … Always butter and Champagne and varying yummy leftovers.

There’s always butter in the fridge. Source: iStock

It’s not cool, but I love eating … Cold leftovers, I love home-cooked food. My favourite leftover dish is Clarissa’s fried rice. Home- cooked food is the best, it brings back memories and you can really make dishes your own.

The last cookbook I bought was … At Home With Sous Vide by Dale Prentice. I haven’t tried any of the recipes as I was really using the book for the method. Sous vide at home is easy for a keen cook but probably not a first cookbook. Although if you follow the recipes and method and use the right tools step by step it will work.

When he’s not wearing his favourite jeans, with Clarissa Weerasena. Picture: Christian Gilles

The hardest working item in my wardrobe is … My favourite jeans, I smarten them up with a jacket if I have an event to go to or just a T-shirt on a regular day. I’m currently wearing
G-Star.

Three items every man should own are … Dancing shoes, perfume and a Leatherman.

My ultimate grooming product … All kinds of hair products, I love trying new ones and am using Aveda man grooming clay at the moment.

My signature scent is … Rive Gauche by Yves St Laurent, it’s really tricky to get hold of now so whatever is left is mine! I have been wearing this scent for many years and have never smelt it on anyone else in Australia, so I love it because it’s unique.

I order coffee over tea … in the morning, always. In the afternoon it could be tea.

My comfort food go-to is … My fiancee’s wonderful cooking because mum isn’t here. I also love her grandma’s laksa, Clarissa’s family food is a world away from the French food I grew up with, different methods, different spices. Yes, it’s deliciously and completely different to French food.

Chef Josh Niland at his new venue St Peter in Paddington. Picture: Jenny Evans

My favourite Sydney spot is … Saint Peter restaurant in Paddington. It’s a great addition to Oxford St, it’s only recently opened and they’re doing something new with fish.

My party trick is … Balancing a chair on my chin.

I’m Instagram stalking … Anything new with food.

I’m listening to … A new UK band — Kitty, Daisy and Lewis. I was introduced to them by a friend recently and love what they do.

My favourite app is … Uber.

If my life had a hashtag, it would be ... #IDon’tTakeMyLifeForGranted

IN OTHER NEWS: JESS AND RUBY’S STEAMY CLIP