My Kitchen Rules’ Manu Feildel discusses show, Nigella Lawson, helping small businesses

Candid celebrity chef Manu Feildel has conceded his shock about the contestants who trump MKR while also sharing his thoughts on the “nightmare” restaurant industry and his co-host.

Ahead of being a guest speaker with entrepreneurs in Parramatta, MKR celebrity chef Manu Feildel admits he is at a loss to know how to help struggling restaurant owners bounce back from Covid lockdowns and cost of living pressures.

Just after finishing a chicken schnitzel (with red wine sauce) on the set of a commercial shoot, the French chef said he wanted to help small business owners, who will meet him at the Parkroyal Hotel Parramatta on Wednesday, find solutions to staff shortages and soaring overheads.

But he is stumped given he last ran a restaurant before the pandemic in 2019.

“I really don’t know how to help them,’’ he said.

“I’ve been on their side for a long time but now I’m more the customer. The nightmare now is there’s not enough staff to run it and I just think we’re going to have to be patient waiting for people to come back and wait for more chefs from overseas.’’

At Parramatta, not only have restaurateurs along Eat St had to battle lockdown setbacks, but also the upheaval that came with constructing the light rail.

“It’s been a bloody nightmare for our industry,’’ Feildel said, explaining how the luxury of eating out has also eroded.

MKR co-host Manu Feildel is running a national roadshow helping small businesses. Picture: David Crosling

“The service is kind of disappearing and it’s become an industry more than a restaurant as you don’t have a waiter anymore,’’ he said.

“The QR code is a great way to deal without the staff because the customers can order their meal, but then you get the kitchen bombarded.’’

The former head chef at Bilson’s and now-defunct Le Toile favours a meal at home thanks to his wife who is an “amazing cook’’ and turns out stellar dishes influenced by her Chinese, Sri Lankan and Malaysian heritage.

Still, he is optimistic that in 12 months the restaurant industry will bounce back.

Feildel’s free roadshows sees him team up with advisory service My Business and kick off at the Museum of Contemporary Art on Tuesday before visiting Parramatta on Wednesday and Rydges in Newcastle on Thursday.

It debuts after he wrapped up filming the comeback MKR season with new co-host and “ray of sunshine” Nigella Lawson.

It’s been two years since the last season aired and since Seven dropped Feildel’s co-host Pete Evans after his comments about Covid being a conspiracy theory.

“I miss Pete for sure,’’ Feildel said.

Manu Feildel and his glamorous co-host Nigella Lawson.

“Pete is a good friend of mine but having said that, it’s nice to film with all the new people and Nigella was an absolute ray of sunshine.

“Just her being there alone. Everyone around the world just loves Nigella Lawson. Everyone was absolutely in awe of her.’’

He highlights a recent episode in which the culinary queen confesses an inability to use chopsticks and takes up a fork and knife to sample her meal, much to contestants’ delight.

Dropping drama among competitors was also a refreshing change.

“I’ve been doing some cooking demonstrations in Queensland and everyone is absolutely delighted about the show coming back … that it’s a lot more relaxed,’’ Feildel said.

“There used to be a lot of fighting and drama and we got rid of that.’’

And viewers can expect a dark horse to prevail as the winning contestants.

“I was actually surprised all the way to the end and I’m not being judgmental … but they kept on offering great dishes all the way to the end,” he said.

“I was completely surprised but I was happy to see them win.’’

To register for the Recipe for Success roadshows at Parramatta and Newcastle from 11am to 1pm, click here.

The roadshows will continue running nationwide.

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