MasterChef Australia Judge George Calombaris Cooks Up A Storm In KL!

Do you watch MasterChef Australia? I know I do. I watch it because it is entertaining, sometimes nail biting suspense at what the judges might react or have to say about some contestants' dishes and the judges are definitely fun to watch.  

My daughter would refer him as the cutest Chef as he is smaller in sized to his fellow judges but... at just 36 years of age, Melbournite George Calombaris is already one of the world’s most accomplished chefs. His modern take on Greek cooking is an exciting blend of experimental and traditional but is always firmly rooted in the lessons he learnt in the kitchen of his Greek Cypriot mother, Mary. While one of his largest claims to fame is as one of the judges in MasterChef Australia; in 2004, at the age of just 26, he was voted by Global Food and Wine Magazine as one of the Top 40 chefs of influence in the world. 

Anyway, when Lifetime extended me an invitation for a chance to meet and greet George Calombaris, it was near impossible for me to decline, so what else??? Accept!!!! RSVP ASAP and fortunately I was accepted and I was among the hundreds of MasterChef Australia fans had the opportunity to see celebrity chef and judge George Calombaris when he stopped by to whip up a simple dish in mere minutes and also to taste local favourites as well! Calombaris’ visit was to promote the new season of MasterChef Australia Season 6, which airs weeknights at 7pm & 11pm, on Lifetime (Astro Ch 709).

Through Lifetime’s website, Malaysian fans of the MasterChef Australia series voted for their favorite local dish that they would like Calombaris to eat while on his visit. The top three dishes presented to Calombaris for a ‘taste-off’ as voted by fans were Nasi Kerabu, Assam Laksa, and Penang Style Oyster Omelette " Oh Chien".

Calombaris wowed the fans and shoppers by sharing a few tips and tricks whilst bringing the MasterChef kitchen to life when he started cooking his signature dish with an Asian twist, namely Poached Chicken with Miso Hummus and Green Mango Salad. Fans at the event were given the opportunity to ask the MasterChef Australia judge questions through Twitter by asking a question while including the hashtag #AskGeorge.

“MasterChef Australia returned to Lifetime on 29 September and already is #1 in its timeslot*. This season, we meet the best group of amateur cooks the competition has seen. Lifetime has created a huge fan base for MasterChef Australia, so we’re thrilled to be bringing George to meet some of his fans around the region,” said Michele Schofield, Senior Vice President, Programming & Marketing, A+E Networks Asia.

On his trip to Asia, George Calombaris shared, “I am excited to be on this MasterChef Australia tour in Asia. It’s been a long time since I’ve visited Singapore and Indonesia, and this will be the first time visiting Malaysia professionally. I loved sharing my passion for food with everyone, got a taste of the delicious local dishes and soaked in the local culture here. To me, food is family, family is life, and life is everything.”

George and his Malaysian fans... note yours truly at his right hand with cutie monkee

Continuing his tour of Southeast Asia, Calombaris will make his way to Singapore on 28 October and Indonesia on 30 October.

For more information, please visit LifetimeAsia.com/GeorgeinMY.

Sponsored by INTI International University & Colleges and Signature Kitchen, MasterChef Australia S6 airs weeknights at 7pm and 11pm, on Lifetime (Astro Ch 709).

Lifetime™ is proud to bring MasterChef Australia judge, George Calombaris, to Malaysia in partnership with Pullman Kuala Lumpur Bangsar.

Thanks to Lifetime for this opportunity of a Lifetime to meet a MasterChef from overseas!!! 

*Source: Nielsen Malaysia, English General Entertainment/Lifestyle category for People 15+

Period: Thursday, 2 Oct 2014