Life after MasterChef
Filed under: gadgets and gizmos, lifestyle, T-Hub, thinking, trends
There are certain things in life that I can’t live without: food, water… MasterChef.
I’m not a good cook, MasterChef hasn’t actually changed my cooking or eating habits, but it has changed my life.
For the last three months I have been arranging my life around being in front of a TV at 7.30pm. Last weekend I convinced friends to meet me for the roast special at the Panama Dining Room at 6.00pm so I’d definitely be home in time for the Sunday show – which we all know is the best, followed by the Wednesday show.
But mostly I’ve just been declining offers and saying I have a lot on right now.
Last season, George ran ‘MasterChef Mondays’ from the bar at The Press Club, where you could eat and watch MasterChef on the big TV. This year he’s renovating and the bar isn’t open, so I couldn’t even push friends to meet me there and pretend I had some semblance of a life outside MasterChef.
And now, there’s going to be a 7.30pm shaped hole in my life. How am I supposed to fill this time that has for so long been exclusively filled with Cutey Gary, Cuddly George, Pink-Pants Matt, Cry-Baby Claire and One-Trick Jimmy?
One of the things I thought might help me still feel connected is a Telstra T-Hub. That way I could scroll through recipes in my kitchen each evening – while I have Katy Perry’s Hot N Cold playing in the background on repeat – and pretend my flat bread ham and pineapple pizza is actually a cook-off between me and Maggie Beer. But it won’t be the same.
My work mates don’t understand; they’re looking forward to the end of MasterChef so I won’t turn up every morning and give them a blow-by-blow description of an episode that they’ve usually already watched themselves.
Is anyone else out there going to suffer from MasterChef withdrawal? How are you planning to cope?
Hi Gaby
I’m proud to shout from the rooftops that I am addicted to Masterchef just as Matt is addicted to cravats, Gary to pastry and George to standing on tippy toes.
I think it has gone on a bit too long but in a curious sense I don’t want it to end either. My feelings are sort of like salted peanut caramel – doesn’t make sense on paper but yet makes total sense in my head/mouth.
So – to the tipping. I say Adam will win the competition this year but Callum will be the Shannon Noll/Poh Don’tKnowHerLastName placed-second-but-more-famous-and-rich-in-the-end winner. Mind you I would buy Adam’s “Two Asian Kitchens” book. Again – more confusion like sweet and sour.
Cheers
Kristen
Gaby, I could not agree with you more. I am addicted to MasterChef and cannot wait to see who wins. Although I must admit I will not be sad to live without the phrase “that’s my heart on a plate” for another 12 months.
And of course, we were sad to see Matthew Caldicott, brother of our own Ali Caldicott, leave the show….
Go Adam!
Jane
Get on your bike to train for – The Slog (not to Sale in 2010) 2/10/10 – details http://www.theslog.org.au (Sponsor Dial Before You DiG), Ride to Work 13/10/10 and Around The Bay In A Day 17/10/10. Real good reasons to be out and about and it can include seeing friends.
Given your commitment to the cause of good food, I suggest you apply to be the Director of Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food:
http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/position-vacant-jamie-olivers-ministry-of-food-bound-for-oz-20100716-10dnv.html?autostart=1
My food show staples are Cookalong Live with Gordon Ramsay, the F Word, Top Chef, Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution (straight after MasterChef tonight) and Nigella Feasts – so a few options there from a food perspective, but none which are showing in the 7:30 timeslot.
And yes, I’ll be on the phone from holiday in New Zealand tomorrow finding out who won.
Gaby, you are so right! I too will have a large MasterChef shaped hole in my life every night at 7 30. For the past few months, if my sons haven’t been in bed by the time my favourite show begins, then that’s their fault, Mummy’s busy.
Never mind, I’m going to tape the Election debate this Sunday, and watch it in half an hour blocks in an attempt to remind myself not only that life continued whilst MasterChef was on TV, but also that it will continue on once it has finished.
Yep, I’m addicted – so is my wife and the 9yr old twins. Mind you, I’m surrounded by similar fanatics, and the kids even play ‘Masterchef’ games at school.
I have wanted Adam to win since Marion was outed, but I wouldn’t be heart-broken if Callum took the prize. This is a really young kid and he can already churn out stuff like that?? Give the guy a head-start and he’ll be all of the ‘hat’ scene in no time.
Oh, and we’ll probably all go back to talking to each other about current events, news and our lives after this…weird…
M@
Hi Gaby
Now you have time to take the dog for a walk along the foreshore after your dinner, instead of been a lounge lizard. Have not been a fan of masterchief, and seldom watch it. Rather be out in the back yard at night with my telescope searching for Super Novas, or down on the broadwalk at Southport, with fishing line in hand, chasing a nice bream for our dinner, or just taking our dog for a walk along the foreshore, which he enjoys.
I sympathise in spirit. I have not caught much of Masterchef this year, but my inlaws fill me in once a week… I will miss these conversations. Now I don’t know what we will talk about!!! :-p
I’m so happy to see so many other people will be in the same boat as me come 7.30pm Monday, it makes me feel less alone. (Although I have deliberately made plans this Monday so that I won’t have to face the empty hole for another day).
John, I see your point, but it’s just so cold at the moment, all I want to do it put on my trackies and sit directly under my heater in a happy MasterChef bubble. I also don’t have a dog.
Now that it’s a Callum / Adam final I don’t mind who wins – but Kristen, I think you’re on the money.
I will have a lot of T-Hubs to pack up.
Why are we having this ridiculous show thrust at us from all angles. Hopefully no more updates about a failed Blancmange
To all my fellow Masterchef loyals!
Fear not as they have already started taping Junior master chef! 5 episodes taped already so well on the way.
If you caught the shorts for it last night you will see that some of these 8 – 12 year olds are cooking far better than most of us “normal” home cooks.
My husband is a professional head chef and he was impressed by some of the plates beinkg presented by these 8 – 12 year olds.
Here’s a solution Gabby…watch Masterchef UK (the original) but you’ll need to get Foxtel as it’s on Lifestyle Food.
Or wait until Junior Mastercef starts!
Until then, why not spend your 7.30′s practicing your julienne, chiffonade and vegitable turning techniques and enter next years competition! Cheers
I’m not convinced Junior MasterChef will fill the hole – all those little kids near gas and flames makes me a bit nervous…
Is MasteChef UK on DVD? I could watch one a night I suppose…