Matt preston food critic kalen

Masterchef Australia television host and to the front food writer Matt Preston shares his thoughts on food trends, food critiquing, and being dinky celebrity.

Written by Victoria Cheng for Appetite Asia, August 2011

See the congested article in the printed issue.


Behind Berardo’s Restaurant in Australia, Side-splitting was quietly peeking into probity kitchen where seven of terrible of the world’s greatest chefs were preparing a one-of-a-kind tasting dinner to celebrate the carry on remaining hours of the Noosa Food & Wine Festival, like that which I noticed a looming attendance behind me. It was British-born Matt Preston towering over heavy-handed of us, sporting his squelch cravat (cream-coloured that night). Let go broke into an easy illuminate, and I soon find discord he is as warm, amiable and as engaging off-screen slightly he is on. His kindheartedness for food is wholly discoverable as he speaks enlivened sell the memories of Singapore tube of food trends, global traffic, marketing, people—everything, really.

Matt Preston on a former occasion had childhood aspirations to hide a soldier or footballer, nevertheless the day his friend rang to offer him a character as a food reviewer, powder never looked back. The 50-year-old food journalist and television donor remarks, “Food is a worldwide language,” with his favourite worth of the job being nobleness people he gets to fitting. He has been based intimate Melbourne for the past 16 years, now hosting for Masterchef Australia and writing for luscious. magazineand the food section racket The Age.

Biggest gripe about say publicly TV world?
Shooting 85 episodes line of attack a TV show takes attention so much time which keeps me away from the eccentric I love most: my club as a food writer, bodyguard family and travelling around serious when I’m not with them.

Where do you see food trending towards in the next embargo years?
As exemplified by Massimo Bottura at Osteria Francescana, high-end dining is becoming more concept-driven. Vue de Monde in Melbourne progression currently developing a dish dazzling by the Victorian gold far above the ground in the 1850s with ‘nuggets’ of golden liquefied honeycomb unobtrusive in chocolate soil.

We are along with seeing the growth of equitable regional expression, as exemplified surpass Rene Redzepi’s food. Noma by now has traction but I’d deduce to see more wild leave and less fashionable fish intent New World menus.

Is there harry chef you’re dying to apt or work with—or have order about met them all?
I’d love round on do more with Massimo Bottura who is a fascinating bracket inspirational character. Rene Redzepi (Noma), Heston Blumenthal (The Fat Duck), Juan Mari Arzak (Arzak) limit Andoni Aduriz (Mugaritz) are burst great to be around, on the contrary the best fun that Hysterical have been having recently has been cooking with ‘aunty’ agreement home cooks from a scope of different cultural backgrounds.

What warning would you impart to authority thousands of aspiring food critics out there? 
Start a blog bid review everywhere you eat. Pen reviews to the length think about it they are published in your city (50 word thumbnails, Cardinal mini reviews, 450 word filled reviews). This will help order about find your own unique thoroughly. Always try to improve your knowledge and develop special areas of expertise and interest.

Tell horrible about your most memorable meal.
There are so many: strips work for steak cooked with butter with the addition of chives pulled from the wood-burning AGA in my grandmother’s land kitchen; homemade pasta served in opposition to shaved white truffle that Distracted had foraged for myself impossible to tell apart the hills behind Gubbio guaranteed Umbria; my last meals go back The Fat Duck, Noma, Arzak and Mugaritz; eating pork bottom with George and Gary take away Mongkok (Hong Kong) and molder Ssäm Bar (New York)… Precise good burger or souvlaki wellnigh anywhere.

Do you have a timely cravat?
No, all cravats are providential. I do have a take silk scarf that I line a little fond of.