Home cooking is back on the menu as My Kitchen Rules makes its grand re-entrance onto Aussie screens, kicking off for a new season at 7.00pm Sunday, August 7th on Channel Seven and 7plus.
The most recent season aired in 2020, having taken a break over the last two years. This time around, Manu Feildel will be back at the table, and by his side will be food writer and TV cook extraordinaire, Nigella Lawson. Joining them will be 12 teams of hopeful home cooks who will be battling it out to be crowned king or queen of the kitchen.
Also joining this year’s judging panel as guest judges are renowned chef, restaurateur, author, and international television personality Curtis Stone, and Dublin-born chef, restaurateur, and previous MKR judge Colin Fassnidge.
Seven’s director of network programming, Angus Ross, said: “Whichever way you dice it, My Kitchen Rules is Australia’s favourite cooking show, adored by millions. We can’t wait to serve the nation more of what they love: real food, real people, cooking from the heart.”
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This year’s teams are:
Group 1
Peter and Alice, VIC – Dad and daughter
Kate and Mary, QLD – Friends
Ashlee and Mat, WA – Parents
Janelle and Monzir, NSW – Partners
Arrnott and Fuzz, NSW – Friends
Steven and Frena, SA – Engaged
Group 2
Che and David, WA – Friends
Rosie and Hayley, QLD – Aunt and niece
Matt and KT, VIC – Best friends
Leanne and Milena, VIC – Sisters
Nicky and Jose, SA – Partners
Sophie and Katherine, NSW – Business partners
Mediaweek spoke to Seven’s head of reality Sylvia D’Souza about rebooting the iconic format.
D’Souza says that despite the hiatus, now was the time to bring the format back in its original form.
“We’re ready for what I think is MKR back to basics – the heartwarming series that we once had. It felt right to do it now, and with Nigella Lawson at the helm with Manu, it’s perfect.
“It’s without the bitchiness of the later series. That’s really the difference.”
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Having previously set the table for Manu and Pete Evans, this time around the cooks will be plating up for Manu and Nigella. D’Souza says that the team had their “fingers and toes crossed” that the queen of home cooking would say yes to taking part, and were thrilled when she eventually did.
“The warmth she brings to the table is genuine – it’s hard to explain. You really feel her love for food and her wish for everyone to do well, and the rapport between Manu and Nigella is so full of respect and fun. The best way to describe it is that it really feels like an intimate dinner party with a group of people who just love food.
“We’re just very grateful that she had the time, and that she could see that this is something that she wanted to do. It’s a perfect fit for her.”