Good morning to you my lovelies! My oh my how we’ve gathered some lovely competitions for you! In fact there are so many competitions here in Not Quite Nigella land that we are holding the twelve days of Christmas giveaways where up until Christmas, we’ll be holding twelve competitions! And allow me to start with my first of the series!
There’s no doubt that the Masterchef phenomenon has caused quite an effect in Australia. We just love our food now and we love cooking and that can only be a good thing. And from the 10-12th of December, the Hordern Pavilion and the Royal Hall of Industries in Moore Park is hosting the very first Masterchef Live event.
There will be a Festival of Cooking and live theatre show. At the Festival of Cooking you will have the chance to taste some of Australia’s best produce, take part in taste and invention tests, watch and learn from the best chefs in the country including top chefs Mark Best, Neil Perry, Kylie Kwong, Justin North, Christine Manfield as well as cookbook queen Donna Hay and Jill Dupleix.
The MasterChef Live theatre show features the three Masterchef judges Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston for sixty minutes of cooking action and entertainment. Celebrity guest chefs and former MasterChef contestants will also drop by. You can no doubt learn new cooking skills, watch challenges and master classes and get all of the behind-the-scenes exclusives from the TV show.
And if you think you have a budding Junior MasterChef there is also an area just for them too!
We are giving away two double passes to this event worth $140 to two lucky NQN readers! For a chance to win one of these double passes, all you have to do is tell me which is your favourite Masterchef judge and why. Is it Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston? Simply add your answer as a comment to the story. The competition ends at Midnight AEST 5th December, 2010. You can enter this once daily. This competition is open to anyone in Australia that can make it to Sydney on those dates (transport and flights are not included darlings, I am on my Learners and they won’t let me pick anyone up! 
).
***The winners are:
V. Vasta
K. Do
***
Best of luck!
Love,
Lorraine
xxx
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134 Comments | Add your own
gary is my favorite as he is always nurturing and full of encouragment and i think thats allot of masterchefs success
My favourite Masterchef judge is George! He is just so loveable and happy on the show, I enjoy watching him because he comes across as if he is having fun with what he is doing.
I can’t wait to see what else you have in store for us with you “twelve days of Christmas”.
Aww, I dont live in Aus
I’m sure this will be a hotly contested prize, but I won’t be able to make it to Sydney. On your learners, nice I got my license when I was about 33 and it is good to have, but I’m still really awful at it and can’t park
I can’t wait until Christmas!
I just love watching George – he is like the “Steve Irwin” of the kitchen!!!
I’m a massive Gary Devotee. He’s so sweet and cuddly and generous with his advice and experience! I’d love him to cook for me!
Hello Lorraine,
My favourite has got to be George Calombaris, who always stays true to his Greek roots in every dish. When it comes to preparing his recipes, he always relates to that wonderful woman of his – Mum. That’s really sweet of him! I love his passion and love for food, his energy (he sweats a lot for a short guy – not that there’s anything wrong
) and his genuine care for contestants in the show. His ability to combine traditional and modern cuisines always makes for an interesting insight into fusion cooking, an area I’ve been interested for a long time. I felt sorry for him though, when Matt Preston stole his Greek thunder by breaking a plate for the first time in Masterchef. Nevertheless, George is a power to be reckoned with – his versatility and innovative approach to cooking, ‘heated’ passion and ability to inject humour in every way will see his popularity soar. Here’s three cheers to this wonderful chef – Opa! Opa! Opa!
Best wishes for a great season!
Great Giveaway Lorraine x
How can we not all love Matt Preston with starting with his colourful cravets and fancy shoes, to his facial expressions when he eats which makes you even crave the food even more!
Oooh. I would love to take my 4 year old to this. She asks me every night if masterchef is going to be on and wants to be on it when she is ‘bigger’.
I must say, I love them all in their own special way but Gary is my favourite. He has a warmth about him and he gets so excited about good food (but not in a creepy way like George). I love the way he is so encouraging with the kids.
Great prize Lorraine!
Matt Preston is my fave – he doesn’t put on pretensions and airs – he’s just like that!
George is my fave!! Always smiling, and can often have a laugh – very good natured.
I’m so excited for your lead up to Chrissy!
Georgie!! I love him – he is so passionate and enthusiastic about food – how could he not be a favourite????
I think Gary is charming, George is cute, but I have an obsession for Matt…I am having a cup of tea and he is feeding me Lumberjack cake. Bliss
What a great prize!
I love George, he is so funny and loves to have a laugh. But I love watching him cook too, love his food!
I have huge respect for George. His approach to food and cooking is unique. I love how he takes traditional techniques and applies them to new flavour profiles and vice versa. George is a huge influence for me and one of the key inspirations in my little (but growing) business venture!
Matt Preston is my favourite, great knowledge and he adds a bit of theatre to the show.
My fav chef is Gary, because he taught me how to make the best roast potatoes with duck fat. Also because I saw him signing books at the Brisbane Good Food and Wine show last week, and saw him giving tips to a kid on a certain recipe.
I do love Matt and his cravat.
Last week, he described himself to the cheflings as a guava—all hard and green outside and pink and soft on the inside.
I know that inside that tough judgemental character he exudes is a gentle heart with a passion for food and all things delish!
I think George Calombaris would have to be my fave, The things he makes are so amazing and fresh. Oh and the Press Club is beautiful!!!!
Gary is my favourite simply by exclusion, I actively dislike the other two… He has a nice face, a cheeky grin, and a positive attitude. He is quite fun. I wouldn’t mind having dinner with him…
This a hard question, it’s like asking to pick which of my children I love the best! Matt is quirky, which for someone of his height and size is a brave and bold decision; Gearge is passionate and loves his mother; but Gary is the most well rounded of the triumvirate. He can dish out criticism so smoothly that it doesn’t offend, and praise without it being condecending. He balances both so beautifully and all with a cheeky grin!
George!!!!! george is so cute!!! esp in the ep he was eating something chilli! so so so cute!
George Calombaris. He is a very enthusiastic cook and he has a lot of knowledge. He is a really great teacher and he is very supportive and encouraging. He can do simple hearty home style meals especially Greek meals. He is very inventive when in the kitchen…
I hope this is enough for me to win this thing.. Thanks Lorraine. (can’t wait for your awesome book!)
Oh and I am a twelve year old and i got inspired by George. I tried to make his open lamb koftas and creme brulee and they were AWESOMEEE!!! (continuing from last post) Now i try to make new things in the kitchen. Unfortunately I was too old to apply for masterchef junior as i aM turning twelve soon
What a great prize, Lorraine! I genuinely like all three of the judges – their warmth and generosity of spirit makes the MasterChef Australia franchise as huge as it is.
However, Gary is my favourite from the time his mum came on the show and they showed a picture of him as a toddler – he looks exactly the same. He’s so cute with the cheeks, upturned nose and the swirl of his hair – so cuddly. I also appreciate that he taught me how to make those gorgeous puffy potato crisps amongst other yummy things.
My fav judge would be George. It’s not only that he has a loveable personality, but also he marries culture with flavours. It’s more about stories behind the dishes he cook. I think he tries to visualise the smell and taste of both Greek and Australia and sends out the message that food travels through cutultural or national boundaries.
Gary is my favourite. He sdeems more knowledgable about cooking and the skills associated and at least give the viewer the confidence that he know what he is talking about.
I think it has to be Gary. He’s got some serious street cred.
George. I love watching his pound his fist into his hand and jump up and down everytime he talks.
I like George- chop chop! Very passionate about food & highly praises those who do a good job.
it used to be Matt in the first series and then it was George when he was funny in the MasterChef Classes but now it’s Gary because he seems the most level headed and kindest and fairest of them all. BTW did you know Annalise from http://lovelunch.com.au greets her readers as lovelies as well
Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston all do an excellent job as Masterchef judges in their own unique way. But my favourite Masterchef judge is George Calombaris because he brings a sense of humour to cooking and caring for the contestants, especially he hugs and comforts them when they fail. He also respects and loves his mother’s cooking as he introduces to us all during cooking classes. George is amazing!
I love them all! My boys (5.5 and nearly 4) love this show so much. They score us every night, and say ‘stop cooking’ and ‘yeah’ like George does. They are Gary and George and I am Donna Hay (I wish!). I love a show we can all enjoy ♥
definitely matt for his colourful collection of cravats but he writes superbly well also
I love George
he’s so supportive to everyone and has such a kind heart, and probably because he’s greek haha
My favourite judge is Gary, he just seems like a good man. He’s friendly and cool, he knows his stuff, looks like he can cook anything! The day his Mum came on the show he was all moved, which I found very cute… he almost caused me to tear up too!
Definately Gary! He’s warm and caring. His manner of encouragement and advising the contestants is GREAT.
George, of course!
Georgie Porgie, baklava and pide,
Kissed the fish and then salt, pepper, fry.
When the chilli’s came out to play,
Georgie Porgie’s forehead gave way.
I live in sunny beautiful Perth WA…we love the show i cook for family an friends all the time now because of MC show ..
i LOVE all of them cant pic a fav… i would have a BIG smile on my face an feel good inside for all of them..
Definitely george! He is so passionate and excited about food if you watch carefully enough u notice him bouncing up and down as he speaks about it!! He is like a kid in a candy shop!!
I vote for George because he judges with his heart.
Matt Preston. Those tasting facial expressions are very serious! A little frown, a look down, and tilt of his head…
Not entering as I wouldn’t be able to attend, but what a great prize. My daughter (7) prefers Matt … and I must stay he has come across really well especially in Junior Masterchef. He’s also a naturally funny man. I like Gary because he’s not afraid to be a bit of a fool and he’s shown his parenting style a bit with the kids in the show.
But my favourite is George. And that surprises me, because he used to irritate me, especially when he jumped up and down on the balls of his feet all the time. But again, I think he comes across as really caring, really passionate about food, a family man (as in mentioning his Mum and staying close to his roots etc). I heard he’s feeling a bit clucky since Junior Masterchef started. I’d be prepared to help him out!
Think Gary is genuine, encouraging & has a true heart [just as important as a good palate & keen eye].
Gary Mehigan is my favourite, I really loved watching him during the junior masterchef series, he was so good with the kids and not condescending at all.
I love George and the way he bounces around so full of love of what he does
Fabulous, Lorraine! You are the best santa’s elf ever!!! I can’t make it those dates, so not entering. Just saying this is awesome!!!
Heidi xo
George always makes me laugh when he is tasting the food – someone teach the man to use his cutlery properly and sit up straight!
If Masterchef were a dish, then Matt Preston would be the hero…he’s certainly my Masterchef hero!
Without any doubt in the world George is my favourite. While I may be a married woman I have a major crush on George. His passion,enthusiam and zeal for wonderful food lights up your television nights. And after all that he has such a great way with those children who wouldn’t melt.
my favorite is George Calombaris
becuase he remids me of kojak.
They are a wonderful trio, their combined talents have been a strong factor in the huge success of Masterchef. Professionals in their own right, with each having their own quirkiness but my vote is for Gary. What that man can do with Chocolate !! He also swoons when he eats it as well
What a great prize, too bad I don’t live in Oz…
You always do the best competitions, but i never qualify. How about if you make a competition open to only those named Heavenly Housewife?
*kisses* HH
Now i’m embarrassed to admit i’ve never actually watched a single episode of masterchef… I have planned to…
I love George ha-ha he just has this thing about him…
George of course!
Everytime I hear him say that a particular dish is “so awlegant” (elegant) and is made up of “such beautiful awlements” (elements) I giggle. I believe this is a pure Mawbourne accent:)
Matt Preston – I received his Cravatalicious book last Christmas and read it over the holidays. His book is a compilation of his columns in the Age newspaper.
I cooked a couple of recipes that he included in this book and they all received positive comments and ‘can I have the receipe’ requests!
Aww this makes me wish I was in Australia!!
my favourite judge would be gary he seems to get very emotional with the contestants and he seems to put all his passion into the food and the way he cooks.
Gary, what a cutie, and that accent is so sweet! To top it off that guy can cook!
It has to be Matt Preston, the way he savours his food not worrying about juices running down his chin provides some grotesque entertainment. Plus he knows what he is talking about!
Gary is my favourite! He is totally passionate about food and really seems genuine on the show.
masterchef in France has not been as popular as everywhere else in the world ; hte show was very long from august to november and TV watchers left it at the end !!wasn’t it the same in Australia?
Pierre
Gary’s
Amuse-bouche is
Really
Yummy!
There’s no kitchen that’s stylish enough unless he’s in it
I’d love to take my niece to this. I’d never even thought of buying tickets for it before. She’s 11 and she’s masterchef obsessed. She goes on the website and tries to make the recipes. Well she more than tries – she suceeds. She’s an awesome little cook. The other day she made a really beautiful lemon tart for my sister-in-law. The pastry and all and she even shaved some chocolate on the top for decoration!
She loves Matt and she loves to hate him if he’s ever mean.
Thanks.
I love George, is so cheeky and cute!
Matt Preston…. ALL THE WAY…. Love his fantastic outfits, his fabulous facial expressions and his passion for food and the industry.
My favourite Masterchef judge is Matt Preston. I adore his cravats and dress sense, and he really looks as though he is savouring and contemplating the food that he is tasting. Like his accent too!
Matt Preston is my favourite because he is a larger than life character with a certain flair with cravats.
My favourite judge is Matt Preston – scary on the outside but soft on the inside
This event is a going to be huge!! What a shame I live in melbourne
I would have to say George as we were recently at his restaurant on a trip to melb for a sumptuous sunday set lunch and the food was fantastic.
Oh how exciting! I love George – he is so passionate and very down to earth. I actually saw an episode of Food Safari the other day and he was on it. It must have been a really old one as he still had hair haha. A big mop of curly dark hair. I def prefer the shaved look – suits him a lot better lol
I like Gary. He seems a bit more down the earth than the others – they make great caricature style hosts but Gary seems like the guy you could meet on the street, and yet he is so talented. I love that!
Oh how I wish I could attend Masterchef Live! I love the Australian version of the show (and if truth be told, I prefer it to our British version), and it would be fantastic to meet the judges! And Donna! Man, I think I need to move to Australia.
It has to be George. He is always so passionate and he has been awesome with the kids on the current Masterchef season, and I love the fact that he sweats so much when eating hot food.
I like all the judges, but George is my favourite for his quirky bouncing excitement and passion for food.
My fav is Gary… He seems to be the most honest and gives great advice. Plus his food always looks amazing!
Matt Preston – because of his outfits!!!
My favourite is George. I adore his enthusiasm and I even love the way he incorrectly pronounces words! He is always on the verge of laughing, you can’t help but like the guy! I was fortunate to bump into him outside his restaurant Hellenic Republic ( NQN you HAVE to go there, it’s fantastic! ask for the Cypriot Grain salad) he was absolutely gorgeous to talk to…what you see on TV is exactly what you get in real life with George. I would love the opportunity to see him cook though…what a highlight it would be.
George is my favourite judge. He brings humour, kindness and knowledge to his judging. His great warm personality and passion for food shines through.
I love George! He is so passionate about everything food! He would be terrible at poker as you can always read his face! I love that he gets so excited and starts jumping up and down!
Hi all,
My fav masterchef would have to be Gary. What a champion. He really enjoys his food as well. He loves loves loves desert cooking and so do I. I’d just love to meet him and chat about cooking and maybe eat a desert or two.
xxx
Matt Preston, how good is this guy! And I find him really funny too!
Gary is my fav. He’s not as mean as the others but still he gives an honest feedback & always encourage the contestants.
I love Gary Mehigan, he is such a natural with the kids and he’s got that lovable kid like spirit too. He’s such a generous man with his cooking, knowledge and just all round kind nature. My favourite thing about him is when he makes satisfied little sounds when he eats food that tastes great and I love a person who loves to eat. He looks just like an elf, Santa’s Helper with those cute cheek bones – His daughter is very lucky.
Gary! I love his words of encouragement
I love George because of the way he loves food!
I just want to take him shopping and have him cook me dinner!
They are all great but my fav is definitely George…he has such big heart. I loved seeing him intereact with the kids of Junior Masterchef. If only he were single…
George as his affection for oil and lots of it is great!
Matt is definitely my favourite for his tough exterior and kind-hearted interior.
All 3 judges are fabulous but my favourites are Gary & George because as a mum, I love the way they relate to the kids on Junior Masterchef and provide them with support and loads of encouraging words. They have the most awesome smiles which warm the kids’ (and their mums!) hearts.
George would have to be the favorite Masterchef judge in our house. Not only does my 2 year old refer to all balding men as “George” but also ends all questions put to him with ‘Yes Chef’!
My favourite is Matt – i love the way he is so unashamedly eccentric in the way he dresses and so intensely passionate about food
I love George, just the way his eyes light up and he gets so excited when he’s talking about food, and the face he pulls when he likes what he’s eating – he looks likes he’s died and gone to heaven, and it makes me wish I was right there eating too!
i love them all but my fav would have to be george – apart from being a great chef, he seems like a really nice guy and is always the one offering encouragement to the masterchef contestants when they’re just about to completely break down (or after they’ve already broken out in tears)
I love the way George is so excited about food, and gets everyone else excited, and if you’re not, he just…keeps you….in….suspense (the way he breaks his words up, I love it). he he
George, the food he makes is to die for!
I would put on my “Favourite MasterChef Judge” throne,
George the gregarious Greek gnome.
For his modesty and energetic air,
And transforming Greek food in Australia with a unique flair.
Although I love Matt for his colourful fashion sense (I can’t help admire his silk cravats!) George will always have my heart. I love his cooking style just his over all passion for cooking – its very contageous!
George is my fave cos he’s such a softie!
These passes would make a truly perfect anniversary gift(and almost to the date, at that!)as both my girlfriend and I are terminal masterchef addicts. However, being only a struggling student with rent and uni fees to pay, I had resigned myself to missing out on this opportunity, so I am very glad and grateful for the possibility this competition presents!
While I find all three judges to be equally admirable for their banter, intelligence, caring natures and their genuine and infectious love for talent and good food, I decided to ask my girlfriend for her opinion, as I ventured to comment in hopes of giving her the best gift possible.
Her choice was enthusiastically and unequivocally Matt Preston, for his colouful cravats, his eloquence, eccentricity and lastly for the way he tastes each bite of food and then pauses to consider in a way that she described as “extremely sexy” – which, on reflection, I secretly have to admit to agreeing with!
I think Matt Preston is my fave.
Matt Preston – purely because of the cravats! I have bets with my housemates to guess which colour he’ll wear next, the loser have the cook dinner that night!
George is my favourite…you can tell he loves his food by the way he eats it…shovels it in like my boys do lol
George is Gorgeous!
OOh! this sounds like it would be so much fun!! I think i’d love to meet george the most. I love them all, but he’d have to be my favourite cause he still has that enthusiasm and child like exuberance and passion for food/cooking that comes across in that little glimmer in his eyes, and the way he’s always on his tippy toes. I think he’s adorable!
Gary – as George said in Masterclass during Season 2 – Gary knows 100 times more than me.
George is my favourite. He is so passionate about what he cooks and seems to be a fun type of person. I would love to eat at one of his restaurants.
George is my fave!! He tries so hard to make everyone have as good a time as he is and when he does a challenge, he puts in 150% effort.
Gary is my favourite, he is a true english gentleman and he always has a twinkle in his eye and a cheeky smile!!
Matt Preston. Gary’s & George’s lines in the show can be corny at times < ;
Matt – he just looks like he enjoys food so much and it comes across in his personality and his waistline!
Matt – he’s simply ‘Matt’nificent!
George, that man can cook!
Matt Preston is my man… witty, restrained and sometimes his “I really like that attitude” shines through his outward shield of appearance.
Matt Preston how funny is that guy!
Gary – he seems the most down to earth of the three
This is hard…but we choose George. He is such a cheerful guy: he never complains that the others expect him to do the dishing up for all of them for the tastings, and he always does it so carefully and with such enthusiasm and respect for the dish and the contestant.
Just love Matt – who wouldn’t!! His comments are always a hoot, really entertaining.
George – he’s so funny, and cuddly and cute plus his scrummy Greek treats are hot to boot!
[G]enerous
[A]dvice and tips
[R]eally creative
[Y]ummy food
Definitely George. He is honest yet inspiring.
All the guys are fantastic. Georgie boy is my fave though.Always happy go lucky adds the light and comfortable feel that lights up every moment of the show.
George, George He’s the Man,
He Jigs & Bounces whenever he can.
He’s sometimes just a little bit silly,
And his head leaks profusely when he eats Chilli!
He makes cooking so much fun,
He is definately my number One!
George Calombaris for me. I love and adore his passion for his Greek heritage and his tales of learning to cook from his mother and grandmother in their kitchen. The perfect training to preparing food with love, straight from the heart.
Matt Preston cause he reminds me of Charlton Heston, His so nice and sweet, To see him would be a treat!
Matt Preston, hands down, he really looks like he enjoys his food out of all the judges!
Matt Preston, he is so funny!
The trio are all fantastic, however I can’t help but smile every time I see George.
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