A Life of Flavor and Health
It has been four years since Rick Stein underwent successful open-heart surgery, a procedure that saved his life. Now, the chef is in good health and remains optimistic about his well-being. “I still feel very optimistic,” he says while taking a break from his busy schedule, which includes managing 11 restaurants across the UK and Australia, as well as making numerous TV appearances.
To maintain his fitness, the 75-year-old culinary icon has some advice. “One of the things that works for me is trying to swim every day, particularly in cold water,” he shares. “I also try to eat healthy—lots of fish. But let’s be honest… I am partial to a large bar of Cadbury’s Fruit & Nut!”
Old Friends and Food
Rick Stein is once again a guest judge on MasterChef Australia, but he keeps quiet about his favorite contestants this season. However, he doesn’t hold back when it comes to what keeps him coming back. “I love the friendly competitiveness of the contestants and the general excitement of the competition,” he admits. “I also enjoy the efficiency of the crew, many of whom have been doing MasterChef for years. It’s like meeting old friends.”
His other TV project involves traveling across Australia for SBS show Rick Stein’s Australia, where he celebrates his adopted second home. He first experienced the country at age 19 in 1967, arriving by ship at Sydney’s Woolloomooloo as a backpacker. “I do seem to spend an awful lot of time in Australia,” he says. “My wife Sas and I have been here for six months this time.” He adds, “I love coming here, but I feel very privileged in that we can spend time both in the UK and Australia every year.”
Rick’s Guide to Aussie Eats
The Best Fish and Chips – The Fish Shop, Burrill Lake, NSW
Rick’s love for seafood made choosing the best fish and chip shop a tough decision, but Burrill Lake’s The Fish Shop won out. “It’s right by the sea. That always makes a difference to me with fish and chips. It’s also special because most of the fish comes from Ulladulla,” he explains.
The Best Sydney Date Night – Margaret, Double Bay
For a romantic evening with his wife Sas, Rick prefers the elegant setting of Margaret in Double Bay. “I always go to the same places. I just love Margaret in Double Bay. I’ve known Neil Perry for years, and he’s cooking fish so well now. I also like the Thai-style toothfish at Mr Wong.”
The Best Greek Food – Jim’s Greek Tavern, Collingwood, Victoria
The service at Jim’s Greek Tavern reminded Rick of 1970s Greece. “The gruff service was in the best way possible,” he says. “The large flounder was perfectly barbecued, and the meze, Greek salad, and galaktoboureko were all we could have hoped for.” A five-star rating!
The Best First Nations Food – Midden, Sydney
Rick’s favorite native ingredient is finger lime, which he loves with the Italian raw fish dish crudo. He highlights Sydney’s Midden as one of his top picks for enjoying cutting-edge First Nations gastronomy. “I’m learning how to squeeze and use lemon myrtle oil for dishes—can’t wait to see it in my next cookbook!”
The Best Farm Shop – The Food Farm, Wyong Creek, NSW
“It’s not like a farm shop I’ve seen before,” Rick says about The Food Farm at Wyong Creek. Hannah and Tim produce some of Australia’s best regeneratively farmed grass-fed, grass-finished beef, certified organic-fed pasture-raised chicken, and eggs.
The Best Oysters – Broadwater Oysters, Pambula, NSW
For oyster lovers, Broadwater Oysters on the Sapphire Coast is the place to go. Sue and Greg have been farming and winning awards for their rock oysters for 26 years.
The Best Bush Food – Bush River Kitchen, Spencer, NSW
“Eat from the bush” is the motto at the Hawkesbury’s Bush River Kitchen in Spencer, where foraging is on the menu. Rick helps cook a fire-roasted venison with owner John, who hosts intimate dinners for groups of six to 20 people looking to escape the city and embrace the bush.
The Best Pies – Glenreagh Pies, Glenreagh, NSW
Glenreagh Pies has won the best pie shop on the Coffs Coast for three years in a row. Brooke Stephen, the baker, learned her craft at The Ritz and Claridge’s before returning to Coffs and opening her own bakery.
Rick Stein is a guest judge on MasterChef Australia on Sunday, 17 May at 7pm. MasterChef airs Sundays at 7pm and Monday–Wednesday at 7.30pm. Watch and stream on 10.
