MKR’s Pete Evans embraces the paleo fight

“I’m not the paleo police. But I’ll never be hushed about something I believe in”, says My Kitchen Rule’s star Pete Evans.

THE LAST WORD …

WITH MKR JUDGE AND CHEF, PETE EVANS

“I’VE copped a bit of crap for my stance on things like the paleo diet and fluoride and the Heart Foundation tick in recent years, but that’s fine, and it actually has nothing to with what I do on MKR.

I love the show — that’s why I keep coming back as a judge, and I tell you what, some of the food cooked on there I replicate at home, because it’s phenomenal and it can fit in with my way of eating.

As for ‘controversy’ about me off the show — it’s kind of self-perpetuating. And to be honest, I’m thankful for the debate.

Pete Evans says all he is doing is advocating eating really healthy food. Picture: Supplied.

I’ve actually never really pushed it out there. What has happened is I’ve been attacked by certain organisations who came out swinging, so I have swung back.

There are bigger fish to be hitting than me. All I’m doing is advocating eating really healthy food.

I will stand my ground. I won’t fight. But I also won’t retract. I will stand my ground and weather the storm. I also have a feeling the weather is changing.

How do I handle the flak? Well I don’t seem to be shutting up about it.

I think the public think, ‘well he’s passionate about and he must believe in it so maybe he’s on to something because most people who cop crap pull their heads in’.

I’m not going to shut up anytime soon. I’m not even shouting yet”.

Pete Evans says despite the criticism he has copped from certain people and groups he will stand his ground. Picture: Richard Dobson

I’m not saying I have all the answers, but a lot of people I am connecting with have definitely improved their lives by adopting this.

I’m not the paleo police. But I’ll never be hushed about something I believe in.

A lot has changed with MKR since 2010. I’ve stayed for a simple reason — it’s a fantastic show which encourages people to get into the kitchen and cook delicious food.

Since 2010 reality-based cooking shows have dominated TV. I’m proud that food is in the limelight.

The first building block for great health is for people to actually get in the kitchen and cook.

Kids relate to us, and the kids watching these shows now, in another five, ten, 20 years will be the ones shaping our future.

On board ... Pete Evans and Charlotte Carr who has an Instagram site for paleo food advice @bubbayumyum have teamed up. Picture: Supplied.

They’ll be the leaders wanting to know where their food comes from; demanding the better treatment of animals. They’ll be demanding accountability for everything that they put in their mouths.

I do have the best career that any chef could ever dream of, for me.

In my time on MKR there hasn’t been one disaster dish — there have been plenty.

Conversely, there have been many total standouts. Amateur cooks have floored me with their flavour combinations and technique and a lot of the time it comes from their heritage as well — food that has been passed on from generation to generation and they have fine-tuned it to a work of art.

It just smashes you palate and you just go: ‘wow — this is what it’s about home cooking done with such finesse and flair’.”

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Originally published as MKR’s Pete Evans embraces the paleo fight