MasterChef star can’t get over this country

Life for Matt Preston “hasn’t slowed down” since MasterChef, with he and former judge Gary Mehigan revealing their next exciting gig.

Former MasterChef judge Matt Preston “hasn’t slowed down” since leaving the hit show back in 2019.

The culinary expert, 62, has been gallivanting around the world hosting food tours, filming an ABC documentary called The Art of … and keeping busy on Saturday mornings with his Melbourne radio show.

“Life certainly hasn’t slowed down no matter how much I try and make this so,” Preston told news.com.au.

But he’s not complaining. The series’ original judge told news.com.au he’s excited to announce he will be heading over to one of his favourite countries, Sri Lanka, where alongside his good friend and former judge Gary Mehigan, the pair will host another Luxury Escapes food tour for fans.

Preston last visited 10 years ago and quickly fell in love with everything the country had to offer.

“It became one of my favourite destinations with so many great memories from the three weeks we were there,” he said.

MasterChef stars Gary Mehigan and Matt Preston announce epic new food tour in Sri Lanka.

“The street food, the produce and home cooking has always been a great attraction adding to the jaw-dropping natural and historical sights.

“But in this last recce trip it was great to see how the food and drink culture has grown with more young independent operators opening world class restaurants and bars.”

The one treat he couldn’t wait to get his hands on was the local banana bread. He said it was unlike any he’s ever tasted.

The banana bread Matt kept raving on about.

“Getting reacquainted with the best banana I’ve ever tasted (was a big highlight). Such a simple pleasure but one I remembered so vividly from that first trip,” he said.

Preston also named-dropped the crab at the popular Ministry of Crab restaurant.

“It was elite,” he demanded. “And then there was that marvellous banana. But there’s so much to love.”

… and the crab. Picture: Instagram/mattscravat

Preston said he can’t wait to take the excusive group on the 11-day Colombo culinary sojourn in what’s been described as a “once-in-a-lifetime” trip.

The tour will chart a course through the island’s famed Cultural Triangle in pursuit of the unique ingredients that define the nation’s rich culinary traditions.

The pair are pretty excited about this food tour in April next year, where an exclusive group will join them in exploring Colombo.

“We are lucky to have some great contacts there which helps massively in finding unique and tasty place – but nothing beats getting on the ground to dig our fingers in and pick places that we think will surprise and delight our guests,” he said.

The tour is carefully curated with the help of the boys’ contacts. As you can see here, Gary is very excited over the country’s wonderful cuisine. Picture: Instagram/mattscravat

“We just look at experiences that will surprise and delight whether it’s at a bespoke cooking class, a great restaurant or bar, or a luxurious hotel. It’s all about creating great memories.

“On top of that there is the varied and breathtaking natural beauty of the country and bucket list experiences like climbing Sigiriya at dawn to wander the ruins of the fifth century palace at its summit.”

Preston described the country as safe, comfortable and fascinating.

“So many people I know are intrigued by it and I’ve yet to meet anyone who has been who didn’t love the place – if they’ve got the best advice to go on where to go obviously,” he joked.

“It’s a small country but so much to see and eat. I hope they’ll (guests) love it there as much as I do.”

The Sri Lanka tour will become the duo’s third, having previously hosted sold-out trips to

Vietnam and India.

The Luxury Escapes tour, which includes Singapore Airlines flights, is available to book now with limited places for April 2025.