Get to know our judge and highly acclaimed chef, George Calombaris, a little better.
George Calombaris: Q + A
Date: 24/04/2009
What have you enjoyed most about MasterChef so far?
The ability to see amateur cooks grow and progress so quickly through all the challenges and master classes.
What qualities do the contestants need to be successful?
Humility, dedication, consistence and love for food and hospitality.
What makes a dish truly great?
To be able to respect an ingredient and make it shine. The best pumpkin soup only has pumpkin in it!
What’s unique about how people cook in Australia?
Australia is this multicultural boiling pot of cuisines and cultures. There is no such thing as an Australia dish. All I know is we like to cook with great fresh produce and allow the influences of all the cultures that have built and created this great country.
What characteristics or qualities does a great chef have?
A great chef is like a tight rope walker; an impeccable sense of balance and being able to go out on a limb. But overall being able to respect yourself and the people around you.
If you could choose your last meal on earth, what would it be?
My mum’s egg and lemon soup; full of the most important food ingredient, SOUL.
What’s your favourite place to travel?
Greece...
What dish would be the way to your heart?
Again, my mum’s egg and lemon soup.
If you were having any three people, alive or dead, over for dinner, who would they be and what would you cook for them?
My two grandfathers and Elvis. Again my mum’s egg and lemon soup.
Sweet or Savoury:
Savoury.
How do you like your eggs:
Hard on the outside and soft in the middle like me.
