Justine Schofield from Masterchef
After we thought that the Masterchef mania had died down, the new participants were announced last night for the new season of Celebrity Masterchef. But we all know the real stars were the original Masterchef contestants so when I was invited to the shiny LG kitchen at Customs House Forecourt to interview Justine Schofield I was excited to learn more about this Jimmy Choo shoe lover turned Masterchef. And read on for even more Masterchef after the interview!
Before the interview, Justine demonstrated two dishes, one with a breakfast theme as it was 10am which was a baked tomato stuffed with speck and vegetables and seared scallops with a remoulade. Justine’s tips were have a great oven (hehe the new LG Multifunction oven hint hint) and Ready, Steady Cook’s Alistair McLeod hosted with his characteristic witty banter and many from the audience were lucky enough to try her dishes. I tried the stuffed tomatoes which were fantastic (since when is anything with speck bad?). After that I sat down with Justine to talk French, food and the other Masterchef contestants…
B.M. (Before Masterchef)
What can you tell me about pre Masterchef Justine?
I don’t even remember that me! I didn’t know where I was going with my career. I mean I loved sales but has a passion for food and sort of left it.
Were you in food sales?
No not all I was selling security cameras and installing CCTV cameras!
What prompted you to audition?
It was actually a friend, I had no idea about Masterchef, I hadn’t even seen the UK one. I said “As if I’m going to go on Television”. She said “Just do it, it’s cooking and you cook better than my mum, our friends and family and you have to do this” and I was like “No no no” and she kept sending me the applications so I end up applying for it one day and forgot about it for a month or two and then I got a call. And the rest was history.
Family & Food
Your background on your mum’s side is French, hence your love of French food. Tell me about your mum.
Mum came over here about 29 or 28 years ago-actually she just got back last night from France! She tries to get back as much as possible. She just raised us the Australian way but always reminded us that we are French and don’t forget it (laughs). We’ve been lucky as dad works for an airline so we’ve gone back and forth every couple of years to France so we’ve always been immersed in French culture.
And your mum is she a good cook?
Yes she is…
But you are a better cook?
Of course I am (winking). Mum is always a better cook no matter what, your mum’s always the better cook. She had a restaurant when she first came to Australia in Bowral in the country. She had no experience in restaurants, she was just cooking and had a passion but it closed down.
What’s your favourite meal of your mum’s?
I think Blanquette de veau (veal stew in a white sauce). It’s amazing. It’s a very Wintry dish, I think Sel Et Poivre has it but that’s about it. I’ll have it at my restaurant.
That could be your signature dish!
Exactly, exactly! My mum’s one is amazing.
So you like more rustic French?
Yes like stews, long braises, and there’s the other area like stuffing tomatoes, steak and chips with a nice Bearnaise.
What about Haute Cuisine?
Oh look I love to eat it and I love to watch how its done and the mechanics behind it but I don’t think I’ll ever be at that level. I think because I’ve grown up on all the classic dishes it’s hard to get away from those although I do like to modernise them.
Are there any cuisines other than French that you like?
Yes I’m REALLY into Italian food, I cook that a lot at home because of the freshness and flavours and all of the classics. You can have bolognese whatever but you can build on it and make it the BEST bolognese. My best friend’s Italian and we’d watch her Nonna cook. It’s so simple but they’ve got that extra touch and you try and copy it but they’ve got their own tomato sauce, their own recipe that they won’t tell anyone.
They’d probably have their own tomatoes..
They do and a certain time in summer they do all the sauces and bottle it for the whole year.
Chefs
Did making Adriano Zumbo’s cakes scare you?
I was scared especially the one I had to do. The chocolate one scared me more than the croquembouche. That was hard. The time they had us do the cake in was ridiculous and so hard to do.
Did you know that Adriano was hoping you’d win?
No! Was he? Who said that? (He told me) Bull**** – Oops! (delighted) I have to go back to him because I really look up to him because he does amazing pastry. That’s really nice!
SBS asked me this question and I thought it was great: Three cooks, which one would you marry, work for and fire.
I would love to fire Gordon Ramsay. Just for the fun of it and to fight with him. He’s actually pretty cool in real life.
Marry? I don’t know…who would I marry a young Alain Ducasse or Michel Roux – the younger one.
Work for? Here? Ummm Alain Ducasse – even to spend a day in that restaurant in Monaco. It’s in one of the beautiful hotels there. You feel like you’re in the 18th century.
He’s your favourite chef isn’t he?
I do love Alain Ducasse – I’ve never met him but I think what he cooks is amazing but I haven’t been to his restaurants. Tony Bilson I really like and Mark Best from Marque. I’m really interested in the way he cooks. He has the background of an electrician and he turned his life around. He cooked a mandarin and a sea urchin and you think “That is gross, what are you thinking?” and you don’t want to order it and you taste it and it’s great. I’d love to learn from him.
He does a lot of Molecular Gastronomy…
I’d like to see it but I’d never take it on myself .
The other Masterchef contestants
Molecular Gastronomy, That was Aaron’s bag. No-one else really got into that…
Yes how can you? I mean we’re amateur chefs so how can you do that. For me that’s what a lot of people couldn’t understand about Aaron. If you can’t chop an onion how can you do Molecular Gastronomy. Learn the basics first and then do that. Like I was saying to some other people, walk before you can run.
So who did you really get on well with in the house?
Julie and I were really close. I saw her on Monday. She’s going to come over for dinner soon. She said “I want to eat your mum’s food”. Lucas and I were like a bigger brother relationship. He looked after me.
Who didn’t you gel with?
I know everyone says there has got to be someone but I’m one of those people that like to get along with people. Most of the people I got along with. In the beginning Aaron really annoyed me but he actually grew on me and I can understand that he is actually very passionate about what he wants to do and he’s doing the hard yards at George’s restaurant. Now he’s stopped the talk and started to do the actions and now I respect that.
What did you think of Chris? He divided a lot of people. I thought he was a great chef but then he’d say things…
I think his personality is direct, he’s always been like that like the reserved, strong minded, his way is best type which is what gets him in a pickle but the way he cooks and his abilities, he’s what 43 years old and he’s got the experience.
So he’s not evil as he was portrayed?
No way, and people said all sorts of things and he’s the cleanest person I’ve ever met. No seriously he was very neat and precise and I admired what he did.
Who did you go for in the final? Julie or Poh?
Julie all the way. She’s just a beautiful, beautiful person.
What was your favourite challenge? Your least favourite challenge.
Favourite challenge…cooking for the elder statesmen like Jacques Reymond. Yes I won but it was more to be able to cook what you want your style in a certain season. I was really pumped about it and to be successful at it was a real bonus. To cook for those people was an absolute privilege. I was so nervous and I just pushed myself so hard to stop fricking around and just “Do it” and I did it.
Lowest point was Hong Kong and getting eliminated because Julie and I were so close. We were in a team and wanted to do so well. There were a lot of trivial hiccups and it looked fantastic but the flavour wasn’t there. But then it was all happy again because I came back!
Did you know you were going to come back?
No. I came back here and did interviews in Sydney and 2 days later they said “You’ve got to go back” I hadn’t even unpacked my bags! I didn’t tell any of my friends either as it needed to be a secret until they saw it. They thought I was doing food demos or doing work experience in Melbourne.
What do you think was your downfall in Masterchef?
My age. Yes my age. I think if I was older and I had a bit more of a repertoire and a bit more ideas in my head I would have pulled off more, or had more ideas in my head about cooking. But I can’t be more than myself and I can’t have any regrets.
What did you think of the judges. We all had a perspective of them as a viewer but how would you describe each of the judges and how they were with you?
The judges were great, we all got along. They were mentors in themselves. They would criticise something that you’d done and you’d go “What the hell, why didn’t you understand it?” and they’d pull you aside afterward and really explain it. I’ll give you an example. The steak that I did, the French one. I said “This is a bordelaise sauce, I’ve grown up on this sauce it IS nice” and it was nice and they were like “If you want to call that a Bordelaise sauce it needs to be done this way”. It was actuality a sauce Marchant (de vin) which is the sauce you do in a pan with the pan juices. That’s why I was scratching my head the whole time thinking what the hell. But then I got what they said and in the Masterclass they showed us how to do the right one. Amazing teachers, funny and they’re people you look up to.
Are they different in real life?
George is the funniest guy-is he funny on tv?
He seems very intense and he comes out with these bizarre sayings….
Yeah he does that for a laugh, he’s hilarious and a very, very funny person. Gary has so much knowledge it’s unbelievable. And I tell you what, Matt Preston looks scary but he’s cuddly and warm and funny.
The Crystal Ball
What is the dream? To open a restaurant?
Ooh yeah! Of course I want my restaurant and hopefully I will get that one day. In 5 years perhaps.
Here in Sydney?
Yep yep…A lot of people from the North want me to open up a restaurant there. Every time I walk down in Mosman they ask “Can you please open you a restaurant here?” but a lot of people there don’t eat out Monday to Friday and that’s the only thing that really concerns me. People in the East eat out more.
What are you doing now? Are you still at Aria?
I’m doing some experience there whenever I can. I’ve done 4 shifts there so every couple of Fridays and I’ve been up at the Brisbane Aria doing a couple of shifts there. Lucas and I have got some gigs happening soon. We’re going to do a five course degustation meal at Nino’s restaurant in Bondi Junction. We’re going to do our five favourite dishes each month and change it with the seasons so that’s going to happen in October. I’m also doing some food demos around Perth and a couple of other things I can’t really say but they’re more promotional things showing off my recipes.
And a cookbook?
I wish! I wish! That’s not on the cards. Do the people want me to make a cookbook? If they do I’ll do one. I don’t know what the public wants. I think there are going to be a lot of cookbooks from Masterchef so I’ll just wait for a little bit.
Are you single?
Single…typically…I don’t have time but if something happens it happens.
What’s your ideal first date?
Nice restaurant, nice champagne that’s it, that’s all I’m asking! Funny good company. No quiet moments and I’ll be happy.
Does it have to be a French restaurant?
No of course not, I eat too much French food (laughs)
Lastly, your Death Row meal. If you were about to be executed what would you order?
I know its really boring but a really good steak, chips I’m talking about a 400g thick rib eye aged beef that’s tender with crispy chips and a beautiful Bearnaise sauce.
Dessert? Because you want to prolong it as you’re going to the executioner..
Of course of course! Hmm my mum’s Oeufs a la neige or Snow Eggs/Floating Islands! Oh and don’t forget the lobster to start with. Done a la Americaine which is flambeed with cognac, cream and tomatoes and eschallots and sliced in medallions. Beautiful beautiful.
You can’t get that here at many restaurants..
Good! It will be at my restaurant (laughs)
And because I promised you more Masterchef, Julie, Michelle and Justine were at the Luke Mangan Salt Grill P&O Launch held at Glass Brasserie at the Hilton. On some P&O routes, for a premium of $30 diners can book a seat in Luke’s onboard Salt Grill. Luke will be joining some of the voyages including the Maiden Voyage. As for the Salt Grill menu? I spy Petrossian caviar, Kingfish carpaccio, Lobster sashimi and all sorts of appetite whetting numbers. I had a great chat with Julie and Michelle who were both completely un-diva like and friendly. I also met fellow blogger and twitter goddess Becca who took this lovely pic of us.
Me, Julie, Michelle and Becca
So tell me Dear Reader, what do you think of the celebrities in the new Celebrity Masterchef? There’s Eamon Sullivan, Michelle Bridges, Peter Fitzsimons, Alex Perry, Indira Naidoo, Kathleen De Leon and Anna Bligh.
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49 Comments | Add your own
Excellent interview. I got a good insight into her and it was very conversational in nature. You do great interview NQN.
This looks like such a fun interview. I would love to try Blanquette de veau, and wow, I would love to cook with the new LG multifunction oven!
Great interview! Hope her restaurant is a big success.
Great interview! They all seem so lovely. I’m not sure how the celebrity one can live up to the first series… but I’m willing to watch and see
A fabulous interview Lorraine – I liked Justine and was surprised when she exited so suddenly. Love the photos too – I like Julie just as she is, rather than all made up in Womens Weekly.
GREAT interview. I love that Justine is geniuine – I was going for her and Julie big time!! She’s living an exciting life now!
I’ve posted about the CMC contestants today already – they have added George Negus and Rachael Finch too – I think Alex Perry is going to be hilarious – I’m looking forward to seeing dishes from Indira and George…
great interview!! had so much fun reading this L!! good luck to her
It sounds like she has alot of ambition- I wish her all the best.
Cant wait for the new masterchef- interesting choice of celebs
Great interview! I felt so warm & fuzzy seeing the Masterchef kitchen again on The 7pm Project last night
I’m really looking forward to Michelle Bridges! I’m hoping for exciting food that won’t ruin my ‘diet’ *sigh*
Great post Lorraine! Justine seems lovely, so interesting that she mentioned her downfall was her age, you would think that the judges would see that as a good thing since there is plenty of room/time for her to learn and grow as a chef? Oh well!
loved the interview! ustine sounds lovely =) there’s definitely passion there and good luck to her!
in terms of the new celebrity masterchef…not sure about the constestants’ cooking prowess given that they’re strong in whatever field they’re in already…
Great interview, Lorraine!
Nice to hear what Justine’s up to – she’s got a bright future ahead of her.
Keep up the excellent blogging
Thanks for a great interview with Justine! I didn’t realise she had such an intense French background (certainly kept that well hidded during the series!). She seems like a pragmatic and realistic person and I hope she goes far.
Not sure about the Celebrity MC thing – since when was Premier of a state a ‘celebrity’? Should be interesting viewing regardless.
Great interview Lorraine! It’s always interesting to find out the behind the scenes goss and learn about the person behind the celebrity facade. Looking forward to checking out her restaurant eventually!
Great interview Lorraine. I think I’m the ONLY food blogger who has not watched a single episode of MasterChef (sad huh? timing was all wrong…I’ll make sure I record the next season!)
jeepers!
great interview, Lorraine.
Yay! MC Fever on again!
x
Great interview Lorraine ~ your blog just keeps getting better and better! Justine is just an inspiration and all the best to her in her very bright future!
Btw ~ why don’t you enter yourself on the next MC lovely?
Thanks for the interview. Julie and Justine were my two favourites not just for their cooking and creativity but for their down to earth attitudes and their genuine love of creating food for people. I’m not sure what to make of the first announcement of celebrity masterchef contestants but am curious to see a politican cook!
Great interview! I felt like I was sitting right there with you! I’m not too sure about celebrity masterchef hmm… I like Indira Naidoo though!
Great interview
I love the questions you ask!
Phew what an interview! And I read every bit of it (currently on lunch break at work) – Julie’s such a great character isn’t she? Oohh and totally loving the Celebrity Masterchef line up… I’m a huge Michelle Bridges fan so I’m rooting for her.
Yes yes yes the public want to see Justine’s cookbook and restaurant
Great interview NQN!!
She was the best in the show! She is so down to earth. I need an oven too as mine is dead-will check the LG range! Is it still at Customs House court to see? =)
I’m a huge fan of Justine. Thanks for sharing the interview.
She is such a sweet girl.
Love this sentence: “But a lot of people there (Mosman) don’t eat out Monday to Friday and that’s the only thing that really concerns me. People in the East eat out more.”… So true!! I am one of them and I live on the north shore. Very well conducted interview and Justine was my favourite contestant and I really thought she could win.
Great interview – thanks for sharing!
Fantastic interview Lorraine, I really enjoyed it. Justine seems really lovely and ‘normal’!!
Great job! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your interview with Justine and I can’t wait for the next Masterchef!!
Aww I love Justine -she sounds very humble and sweet. Her cooking also amazes me -shows so much depth in creativity far beyond her years. I’d definitely buy her cookbook as I’ve been looking for a good classic French book.
So Justine…if you’re reading this, pleeasssee write a cookbook!
Wow, Justine looks like a fun person to interview. She was my favourite on Masterchef too =]
On celebrity Masterchef, I’m really interested to see Michelle Bridges cook xD I was a fan of Biggest Loser before Masterchef came on so I want to see how she can cook healthy food while competing. Everything on Masterchef seems to have heaps of fat in it lol.
I remember Kathleen from watching Hi-5 in my childhood so I like her too xD
I’m also interested to see Alex Perry cook. Even though I don’t know him, I’m curious to see how his background in fashion designing is reflected in his food.
Lorraine, I always love your interviews. More, more!!!
Tomatoes stuffed with speck? Yummers!
Now, if only our local stations could come up with similar shows… *sigh*
Oh..the guy next to Justin in picture 2 is my friend from Le cordon bleu school..haha
and I like Justin !! thanks for sharing at interview about hers
Looks really exciting, Lorraine. You are a celebrity in Australia!
Have you done a cookbook yet?
With all this magnificent blogging, I’m sure it’s in the works.
It will be a work of art.
As always, inspired.
Marilyn
http://artfulhawaiigirl.blogspot.com
Lovely interview, I think Justine’s biggest successes will be ahead of her. Don’t know how well CMC will fare, we already think we know the contestants, will they show us new sides to themselves and make us fall in love with their cooking characters? Never mind, I’ll be tuning in anyways!
Great interview!
Awesome interview!
I feel so disappointed that I didn’t get to watch all episodes, but Masterchef Australia was truly a great show. And unlike US/UK ones, all contestants seemed very well-hearted – not much bitching and backstabbing happened on the show I reckon? Can’t wait for the next Masterchef
nice interview – love the photos and I was surprised to learn some things about justine like her love of french cooking – because I didn’t watch all of masterchef
i wish masterchef aired in america–it sounds like an entertaining show! justine seems charming and kind, and i’d love to sample any and every dish of hers!
What a delightful insight into Justine and her new career . Hats off to her, I’m sure she’ll do really well. When does the next series of MC start, I haven’t being watching TV lately? Celebrity MC should prove interesting but the first series was so successful that it will be hard to match. Lorraine, I’m very interested in Luke Mangan’s onboard lunches , are non-passengers able to board ship and enjoy? In February,my husband and I attended lunch onboard the Arcadia,( which was organised by Vogue Entertaining & Travel Magazine) at ‘Rhodes’ the fine dining restaurant of British chef Gary Rhodes.What a divine meal and fantastic experience , he even demonstrated a cooking segment before lunch, he’s not only a great chef but an entertaining talker as well.
great interview. well done. i hope Justine opens the restaurant in the East!!! hope your reading this Justine
I went for Julie as well in the final. it’s good to hear she was a very nice person behind the scenes as well. 
Love Justine! I really really wanted her to win… oh well she’ll probably do better without the Masterchef title
Really enjoyed reading this. Great stuff, Lorraine!
Hi Mike-Thanks you so much!
Hi Faith-Hehe perhaps one day at her restaurant! Me too, I can’t wait to get mine
Hi Lisa-Thankyou! I hope it is too
Hi Anita-Thanks!
Yes they are all very nice and friendly. Yes we’ll wait and see! 
Hi Cakelaw-Thankyou! Me too, I really expected to see her in the final. I thought the Julie pics were gorgeous but she looked less approachable!
Hi Liss-Thanks so much! Yes she seemed very nice and genuine. Haha what a funny mix of people! Yes it will be intertesting to see who can cook!
Hi nora-Thankyou so much!
Hi sandra-yes she seems full of dreams and ambition which is good. I know, it’s certainly a curious mix!
Hi Zam-Thankyou! I know, it seems like it was so long ago
Ahh yes that would be good!
Hi Steph-Thanks so much! Yes I think she thought she might have been able to have a wider repertoire which I guess comes with age
Hi jess-Yes she was nice and unaffected which was really nice to see!
Hi Ladybird-Thankyou so much! You are too kind
Hi Belle-You’re welcome!
Yes I never realised that either! I thought shejust liked French food. Haha I wonder whether they will have a lot of excuses and avoid answering questions 
Hi Forager-Thankyou! Yes I love learning more about people and it was nice to learn more about her!
Hi shaz-Thanks so much! Haha really? Perhaps you’ll get into Celebrity MC!
Hi the projectivist-thankyou!
Hi Eve-I know!
Aww shucks thankyou so much! Hehe yes except I’d have to take off quite a bit of time from the blog and I don’t know if I want to do that! 
x
Hi Miss High Heels-You’re welcome! Yes they both seemed very nice. Haha I know! I don’t know if many of them can cook!
Hi Betty-Thankyou!
Yes I think she might be able to cook too! 
Hi Alexandra-Thanks so much!
Hi Trisha-Thankyou! Ahhh cool, I don’t know much about Michelle Bridges so I’ll keep an eye out for her!
Hi Shanks-haha cool! I think that’s what she wants to know! Thankyou so much!
Hi Brianna-It’s a rather cool and sexy looking range of ovens. I don’t thinkit is up there anymore. It might have just been for the day
Hi Jeni-you’re more than welcome! She was very nice and friendly I have to say
Hi Ellie-Hehe yes Military road is rather quiet on weekdays!
Thanks so much and yes I thought so too!
Hi Max-Thanks and you’re welcome!
Hi Gab-Thankyou so much
Yes doesn’t she!
Hi foodie-central-Thankyou so much! Me too
Not long now!
Hi Jenny-Yes I agree. Yes her cooking is great especially for her age! Hehe cool! I’m sure she’ll see this
Hi Alice-She was! It was great chatting with her
haha yes all of that butter! It will be interesting indeed…yes I’m interested in Alex Perry’s cooking too!
Hi Julia-Aww shucks thankyou!
Hi Midge-I know! You can’t get better can you?
Hi Ja-Ahh cool! How funny is that?
You’re welcome!
Hi Marilyn-Aloha!
Me? hehe no 
Not yet but hopefully one day! 
You are too kind Marilyn.
Hi Moya-Thankyou!
I think so too! Hehe yes that’s what I’m really interested in!
Hi Blond Duck-Thankyou!
Hi Yas-Thanks so much! I know, isn’t that nice when that happens?
Hi Johanna-Thanks. Yes I didn’t realise how really French she is!
Hi grace-it was great. I’m amazed you don’t have your own version!
Hi Matilda-Thanks so much! I think the celebrity one starts soon and they’re casting for the regular one. I don’t think so I’m afraid, the restaurant is quite small so people can’t dine there every night but I think everyone should be able to dine there at least once during their trip. Oh how fantastic for you guys! That must have been an amazing experience!
Hi Simon-Thanks
Yes that would be good!
Hi Madelin-Oh great! Yes I’m sure she’ll do just great without it
Hi Y-Thanks a lot!
Thanks so much for this interview. My brother has a high position at Customs House and I had NO clue she was going to be there – I want to strangle him. I was trying to keep my Justine admiration to myself though
.
Now if only that girl (well woman) was gay *sigh*, hehe. I read somewhere she had lots of male admirers; if only she realised just how many female admirers she has too.
Thanks heaps for that in depth interview, it was telling without being too nosey or overly personal.
hey, excellent interview! this is a long shot, but i had an interview today to get into medicine at UNSW, and i swear one of the people interviewing me was justine. but i only realised it was her afterwards, and didn’t catch her name. it is possible, because one of the interviewers is a “community representative”. i was wondering if you had any idea?
Hey I like your site & thought I’d invite you to a Food Festival that Canterbury City Council organises in Campsie. Below are the details, if you could promote it that would be great we also have a FaceBook group Campsie Food Festival:
This year’s Campsie Food Festival will be held on Saturday 5 June 2010 at Beamish Street and Anzac Mall Campsie.
FESTIVAL ATTRACTIONS:
* Over 15,000 visitors expected
* Festival commences with a traditional Korean tea ceremony.
* Celebrity Chef appearances and cooking demonstrations from – Justine Schofield (Finalist from 2009 MasterChef); Chung Jae (Popular Korean Chef) & Cecilia Lau (Popular Chinese Chef).
* 60 delicious cultural food stalls, speciality goods, giftware, community info, clothing and activity stalls lining Beamish Street and Anzac Mall.
* Amusement rides all day long
* Vibrant live entertainment on stage – Brazilian, Thai, Greek, Korean performances
* Kim Chi and Noodles eating competitions
* Roving street performers, Lion dancers, South American, Korean musicians
* FREE dumpling making & samples, lantern making, Korean desserts giveaways
* Plus one lucky person will win 2 return air flights to Korea!
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[...] Victor’s Foods hosts cooking classes and team building exercises for corporates. They are also hosting a South Coast food tour with Masterchef contestant Michelle Darlington. [...]
[...] recall interviewing Justine Schofield from Masterchef and how she spoke of her mum’s amazing Blanquette de Veau and seeing a recipe for it in here [...]
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