The dish TV cook Justine Schofield makes when she really loves someone

Justine Schofield came to fame when she appeared on the first series of Masterchef Australia. Since then, she has written several books and has her own TV series, Everyday Gourmet with Justine Schofield. Here, the 39-year-old mother of one talks about her foodie parents, and cooking as a way to someone’s heart.

Justine Schofield inherited her love of food and cooking from her parents, who owned a restaurant together.

My French maternal grandfather Jean lived in Paris. He passed away when I was only two
years old. He was a stoic figure and wonderful cook. He came to Australia a few times before I was born and when I was young. His death was tough for Mum, who moved to Australia to be with my dad.

My paternal grandfather died when my father was aged two. He worked in the farming industry in NSW. My father, Colin, sadly didn’t get to know him. It was unfortunate he lost him so young in life.

My mother’s brother, Thierry, is another big influence in my life. When I go to France, I stay with him – I am drawn to anyone who can teach me something new. He’s another phenomenal cook, a fisherman who’s passionate about produce, wine and gardening. I used to hate tomatoes until he gave me one from his garden.

Dad met Mum in 1969, when he was travelling around the Greek Islands after serving in the Vietnam War. He worked as a bus driver and tour guide for a number of years. Mum was travelling with her cousin from France, and she and Dad hit it off. He didn’t speak French and she didn’t speak English. They kept in touch writing letters, and then she came out to Australia in the late ’70s.

My parents opened a restaurant together in Bowral [NSW] called Le Pepot. Dad was front-of-house – full of personality and cool as a cucumber. Mum worked back of house. She is a typical Frenchwoman, very passionate and a different temperament to Dad. My father is the most humble, calm, hospitable person you’ll ever meet.

After the restaurant, Dad worked for Qantas as a tug driver for 30 years. One thing Dad hasn’t done in life is learn French, but he does know when Mum is swearing at him.

I have two brothers, Clarence, who’s four years older than me, and Lawrence, who is two years younger. Both followed in dad’s footsteps. Clarence is an air-traffic controller, and has triplets. He is a very protective big brother. Lawrence is an engineer for Qantas. When I need him, he will drop everything.

My celebrity crush was Zac Hanson from the band Hanson. I was obsessed with him as a 12-year-old. Later on, I had an early crush on cook Anthony Bourdain. He was very charismatic and honest, and I was drawn to the way he could express himself through food.

Schofield once had a crush on chef and author, the late Anthony Bourdain.Credit: AP

I’ve known Pedro Damergi since I was 18 and we worked together at the same restaurant – I was a waitress and he was the chef. He is a mentor and best friend who believed in me very early on in my career and encouraged me to join MasterChef Australia.

I have always been one for long-term relationships. When I was at university, I dated a
fisherman for four years. We had the most incredible adventures. It was young, free and just
what you want from those days. There were a few breaks in between, but this was young
love and it was great.

I met my partner, Brent Staker, at the beginning of 2020. He is a very honest and caring person. He is also a wonderful father to our two-year-old son, Louis. We have the same values and we connect on many levels.

I show love through cooking. When I make a simple spaghetti pomodoro or a steak béarnaise and chips – that’s when you know I really love you.

I always thought I wanted to get married and I have been to so many weddings, but it never
happened. For me it was more of a priority to start a family. I am lucky I fell in love with
someone who was on the same page.

Leigh Redlich, the director of my TV show Everyday Gourmet, is a great confidant. He will always give me time to sit down and bounce ideas off him. You always walk away feeling better.

Cook Ahead (Pan Macmillan), by Justine Schofield, is out now.

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