Celebrity chef Manu Feildel has been riding high on a successful career over the past 15 years.
With 11 seasons of My Kitchen Rules under his belt, a superb Hoyts Lux Menu — Menu by Manu, a feature film and a turn as a judge on the most recent season of Australia’s Got Talent, the 46-year-old is showing no signs of slowing down.
But with the onset of the global coronavirus pandemic, Feildel has had to take an unplanned break, something that he feels is a blessing in disguise.
Feildel, who has been married to Clarissa Weerasena since 2018 and has two children — Jonti, 15 (from a previous relationship) and Charlee, four — has been fortunate enough to be spending isolation with his household.
“After being so busy travelling with work over the last few years, we’re now spending a lot more time together as a family which is really good,” the TV chef said in an interview with TheLatch—.
“We’ve been cooking together, playing card and board games and also exercising at the park. Things we don’t often have the chance to do.”
The TV judge was also in the middle of filming his new series Plate of Origin when the pandemic hit, which saw the season drop from a staggering 30 episodes to just ten.
“Most TV shows have been either cancelled or postponed until further notice,” he said.
While work on the very successful series has been brought to a halt, there has been another silver lining for The BBQ star.
“It has made us reflect on the situation and realise we can’t take anything for granted,” he admitted, however, when this is all over, it will be back to business as usual.
“We should pick up where we left it and work double the time to catch up and get on with it,” he said.
Most recently, Feildel took to his Instagram to share the news that his mother, Evelyne has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer.
“Streaming live from my home I will cook two of my favourite recipes and share some of my hints and tips and answer some of your burning culinary questions,” he captioned the post.
The current health crisis is evolving rapidly. If you suspect you or a family member has coronavirus you should call (not visit) your GP or ring the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
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