GARY MEHIGAN

LOCATION: AUSTRALIA

Gary has been part of our television viewing since he first started as a co-host on Good Chef Bad Chef on Channel Seven in 2007. Since then he has been an integral part of shows like Boys Weekend and of course 12 years of Masterchef Australia, and Seven’s Plate of Origin. Gary’s TV audience stretches around the globe, and his series Far Flung and Masters of Taste, have well and truly cemented him as one of the most loved and TV Presenters both in Australia and internationally. He has just completed filming ten episodes of National Geographic India’s “Mega Festivals”, and spends a lot of time travelling in the region and working with Conosh, an experiential Food and education platform.

Gary’s Podcast series, titled “The Gary Mehigan Show”, included guests such as Nigella Lawson, Steve Price, Craig Reuscassel, Pia Miranda, and Maggie Beer, just to name a few. In 2018, the PWC Media Outlook used Gary’s interview with Nigella Lawson as an example of the power of the Trust Driver for traditional media.

Gary TV two seaons for Fox Life called Masters of Taste won Best Cinematography at the Asian Television Awards in 2019. He is now a regular presenter for Seven’s Melbourne Weekender.

In Australia he has his brand of restaurants called Moga Moba, with the first one launching at Melbourne Airport’s Qantas domestic terminal in January 2024, and his frozen meal range for Providoor launched in October 2023. He continues to work with brands as a trusted Ambassador and Spokesperson, and has written 5 cookbooks - Comfort Food, Good Food Everyday, Bringing Flavour Home, Your Place or Mine and Cook with Us.

Gary says he feels blessed in his career, it has allowed him to travel, indulge his passions and meet some extraordinary people. He has by his own admission felt the pain and pressures of failure but enjoyed great success and couldn’t wish for more. He values, honesty, enthusiasm, passion and compassion, and above all else he loves to teach.

A bit about Gary’s career prior to his Television Career…..

Gary was born and grew up in the UK, in a little place called Hayling Island on the South Coast of England, his Dad was an Engineer, Mum an artist and grandfather a chef and teacher. He attended Highbury College of Technology, where he studied to be a chef, before leaving for London to take up his first full-time position. Gary marks the two Michelin starred restaurants that were the most formative in his early career, as The Connaught Hotel under Michel Bourdan where he worked for almost 4 years and Le Souffle at The Hyde Park Intercontinental under Peter Kromberg. They were at the time, two hugely influential chefs in Britain with two opposing styles and ideas, one a bastion of “French haute Cuisine” and the other modern, creative and progressive.

He moved to Australia in 1991 where he worked at Burhnam Beeches, Browns Restaurant and Sofitel Melbourne before venturing into business at the age of 31. He then started Fenix Restaurant & Events which gained a hat in its first year, and which Gary owned for 14 years. Gary opened the Maribyrnong Boathouse in 2007, which proved to be a huge success known for its prime location and local clientele. Gary sold his interest in the Maribyrbong Boathouse earlier in 2017.

MasterChef was by all accounts, a game-changer for all involved. Eleven years and 12 series later, Gary, Matt & George became part of our daily viewing, when it comes to food. MasterChef Australia series 2 was the highest rating show on Australian television of all time and the show has inspired a new generation of young cooks to embrace food and cooking. 

STEPH DE SOUSA

LOCATION: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

Meet Steph, your foodie best friend. With over 3 million followers across Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook (and growing every day), she’s a social media sensation who loves nothing more than sharing her passion for food and life.

After winning hearts in the MasterChef Australia kitchen, Steph discovered that cooking wasn’t just a skill, it was her calling. With her infectious energy and bubbly personality, she’s on a mission to spread the joy of home cooking to everyone. In 2025, she returned for MasterChef Australia: Back To Win, reminding fans why they fell in love with her in the first place.

A two-time bestselling author, Steph has inspired thousands with her cookbooks Air Fryer Queen and Easy Dinner Queen, both packed with quick, delicious, and budget-friendly meal ideas. Her first TV show, The Frugal Foodie on Channel 10, is now heading into its second season,showcasing her love of saving money, reducing waste, and making great food accessible to all.

Steph’s freestyle, homestyle approach to cooking won her countless fans, and while she’s worked as a professional chef in various kitchens, her greatest passion is helping others feel confident in theirs.

Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out, Steph’s recipes and tips will make you feel at home in the kitchen. So grab your apron, turn up the music, and join Steph on a culinary adventure filled with fun, flavour, and friendship.

Depinder Chhibber

LOCATION: New Castle, NSW

Chef • TV Personality • Culinary Creative

Depinder Chhibber is one of Australia’s most captivating culinary talents — a two-time MasterChef Australia star (Seasons 13 & 17 “Back to Win”), celebrated for her vibrant Indian-inspired cuisine and bold, contemporary flavours. Finishing in the Top 4 in her return season, Depinder has become a sought-after media personality, known for her creativity, adaptability, and the ability to tell powerful cultural stories through food.

Born in New Delhi and raised in Newcastle, now based in Sydney, Depinder brings a global perspective to her cooking, blending the traditions of her Indian heritage with modern Australian influences. Her dishes — from viral green curry cake to high-concept plated desserts — have captured millions of views online and the attention of judges, audiences, and brands alike.

Away from the TV spotlight, Depinder is the founder of Ghar Supper Club, a boutique dining experience celebrating home-style Indian thali with a modern twist. She has collaborated with leading chefs, appeared as a guest judge on MasterChef India, delivered a TED Talk on food and identity, and worked with brands across food, lifestyle, and travel.

With over 162,000 engaged social media followers, national TV recognition, and a proven ability to connect with diverse audiences, Depinder is a dynamic ambassador for culinary storytelling, premium dining experiences, and culturally rich brand partnerships.

MANU FEILDEL

LOCATION: AUSTRALIA

Manu Feildel was born to entertain. As a young teenager, he trained with a local Circus group before heading off to start his Chef’s Apprenticeship. So, it’s no surprise he has become one of the most popular personalities on Australian television as co-host of the successful “My Kitchen Rules” series on Channel 7, which debuted in 2010 which has run for 14 years. Manu’s TV career has taken many different paths in recent years, including judge of “Australia’s Got Talent” on Seven, a challenge he took on with gusto, he participated in and won the 2011 series of “Dancing with the Stars”, and is a regular guest presenter on Sydney Weekender. There is no end to the diversity of his presenting skills. In 2020 he was a co-host on a new series alongside mates, Gary Mehigan, and Matt Preston, “Plate of Origin” for the Seven Network.

In 2016, Manu realized a dream of co-producing his first TV series, called Around the World with Manu, which aired on 7Two. He has hosted two series of My France and Manu’s American Roadtrip for Channel Seven.

Manu first appeared on Australian television with Ten’s Ready Steady Cook, his other TV credits include co-host of “Boys Weekend” alongside friends Gary Mehigan, Adrian Richardson, and Miguel Maestre, which now airs to over 110 countries worldwide. 

Manu is currently Ambassador for a number of brands, including Spotlight, Home Group, Ingham’s and Finish Dishwasher products, bringing his effervescence and authenticity to the campaigns he works on. He launched his Sauce range nationally in Australia in 2019, which continues to grow in its range and popularity.

It seems that Manu Feildel was destined to become a talented chef from the moment he was born – his great grandfather was a pastry chef, his grandfather and father were chefs, his cousin is a chef in the United States and his mother is a great cook. But, as a child, he saw his future on the stage rather than in the kitchen, and at 13 years old he joined an amateur circus school. By the time he turned 15, Manu had decided that the road to becoming a professional clown was a very long process, so he started as an apprentice in his father’s restaurant.  After a year, he progressed to a fine dining restaurant where he finished his apprenticeship.  Shortly after, the travel bug bit Manu and he packed his knives and headed for London.