TV star blown away by this Asian destination
It’s a thriving Asian destination known for its popular street food scene - but surprisingly, this MasterChef judge has never been – until now.
MasterChef Australia star Jean-Christophe Novelli couldn’t wait to visit Hong Kong.
The French judge, along with his co-stars Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin and Andy Allen, recently visited the bustling island where this Sunday’s episode will kickstart the show’s week in Hong Kong.
Given it was Jean-Christophe’s first ever time in the foodie destination, he was particularly excited.
“I had never been to Hong Kong although it has always been on my list of places to visit. I have been to Asia but sadly not visited enough places,” he told news.com.au.
The first thing he did was kick off his culinary adventure, describing the authentic smell of the cooking in the street, the buzz and the vigorous energy, unlike anything else.
The food scene wasn’t what he was expecting, adding that it’s what surprised him the most.
“It’s interesting and rather fascinating to watch all those wonderful people, always busy doing something with care and pride which is involving food in general,” he explained.
“It’s inspiring. Also, I am extremely impressed there doesn’t seem to be anything wasted.”
The chef and restaurateur said even though the places can be quite confined and not so modern, it still remains hygienic and exciting and real.
“This is one of the many good points about visiting Hong Kong, it’s real life – nothing fake and nothing pretentious.”
He said there’s more food etalage/displays in Hong Kong than anywhere he’s been.
“Meat hanging everywhere, live seafood waiting to be sold and an enormous amount of top-notch versatile vegetables; everything is fresh and authentic.”
The 63-year-old said he was stunned to find a shop with every single part of a pig displayed.
“The only time I have experienced something similar to this dimension of excellence was in one area only in Paris, Rue Des Belle Feuilles,” he told news.com.au.
When asked what the highlight of the trip was, he said it was difficult to pinpoint just one thing.
“It’s been non-stop, constant, so it’s going to be difficult to just choose one. Vicky Cheng is an experienced and an exigent chef, and my visit to both of his restaurants (one is a Michelin star establishment and the other a bistro) was a highlight,” he said.
Vicky, who owns the popular Michelin-star restaurant VEA in Central, Hong Kong, will be a special guest on Monday’s episode.
Contestants will be vying for immunity as they attempt to replicate one of Vicky’s exquisite dishes at the foot of the 34-metre-tall Big Buddha statue, opposite the Po Lin Monastery, one of Hong Kong’s most sacred Buddhist sanctums.
“I was extremely impressed, not just by his extraordinary talent, but himself as a person, his wife and his amazing team,” Jean-Christophe added.
However, while he said he loved experiencing the exquisite food at Vicky’s restaurants, he equally enjoyed the street food.
“There are so many places which were fantastically modest, many run by families (which is impressive), and in a lot of cases women were the bosses running the kitchen,” the judge said.
Some of his favourite dishes were wontons, phoenix tails, har gow (steamed dumplings), curried fish balls and dim sum.
“My only disappointment was not trying a great selection of desserts.”
Hong Kong continues to be a popular destination for tourists, particularly among Aussies, with Qantas alone operating more than 700 passenger flights and over 200,000 seats per year between Australia to Hong Kong.
Pre-covid Hong Kong received an average of 540,000 visitor arrivals from Australia
annually.
Following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions in March 2023, the number of visitor arrivals from Australia to Hong Kong reached about 240,000 in 2023, according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
For those keen to visit the island on their next holiday, Jean-Christophe suggests to venture into the backstreets “even if they look rudimental, distant and inaccessible”.
“Just follow the smell and don’t judge a book by its front cover. I know people keep their heads down when they are busy, but they are genuine and really want to converse too.
“Hong Kong is extremely safe.”
He also advised to take a ride on the Victorian design tram.
“I also noticed a lot less people using their phones when walking around or taking a bus, you could quickly realise which ones were tourists,” he laughed.
MasterChef Australia ‘Hong Kong Week is on Sunday, June 23 to Wednesday, June 26 at 7.30pm on 10 and 10 Play.
Aussies ditch Bali for cheap ‘hidden gem’
Data shows we’re holidaying differently amid rising cost-of-living pressures, as visitors to an idyllic island paradise that doesn’t cost a fortune double.
Insane side of Japan you don’t know about
There’s an unbelievable side of Japan that tourists often forget about, but those who have visited can’t stop raving about its undeniable beauty.
China launches flight to major Aussie city
A Chinese airline company has just announced new direct flights connecting mainland China with a major Aussie city.