Latest news with #Masterchef
Time Out
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
A hidden omakase restaurant has opened in the CBD
Melbourne's Japanese dining scene is ever-evolving, and Kentaro is the latest to make its mark. After developing a loyal following as a pop-up at Operator San, it's now found a permanent home in a discreet spot on Exhibition Street. Head chef Ken Kee has worked in Singapore, Malaysia, Japan and at local institutions Shoya and Shiranui. At Kentaro, he puts premium seafood, top-grade Japanese beef and seasonal local produce front and centre. Dinner is a $220 or $270 omakase starting with produce-driven appetisers like hollowed persimmon filled with goma-ae (sesame-dressed vegetables), followed by sashimi, a grilled course and nigiri. Dishes toe the line between delicate and decadent – think fatty otoro (tuna belly), scallop stuffed with foie gras, and chawanmushi (a savoury steamed egg custard) topped with uni and gold flakes, served in a ceramic egg. The meal wraps with a rare cut of A5 Ozaki beef sirloin (seldom seen in Australia), a light broth-based palate cleanser, and a rotating dessert by former Masterchef contestant Jess Lemon. Lunchtime is more relaxed with an $88 omakase – among the city's more accessible options – offered as either a four-course set or a sushi selection. A la carte is also available, including chirashi bowls and M9+ steak dons. The drinks list includes a sharp selection of wine and sake – and guests are welcome to BYO a bottle provided they purchase another from the venue. Curious about Kentaro? Find out more at the website. Kentaro is open from Tuesday to Sunday at 6/242 Exhibition Street for both lunch and dinner bookings.
Sky News
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
Renowned chef talks about life after being conned out of £300,000 by his own mum
When Graham Hornigold first heard from his mum, he was delighted, full of "excitement and anticipation". He had gone more than 40 years without seeing her, having been in foster care from the age of two and then living with his father and stepmother. So, when she dropped him an email in the middle of the pandemic, it was almost biological instinct that made him reply. If he had realised that in six months, he would be £300,000 in debt, separated from his wife and wishing his mother was someone else, maybe he would have made a different choice. The renowned pastry chef and Masterchef: The Professionals judge unveiled his story in the Netflix documentary Con Mum earlier this year. Since the programme aired, Graham's life has been a whirlwind as he tried to recover emotionally, mentally and financially from the turmoil his mother Dionne Marie Hanna left behind. "I was in bits, a real dark place, all alone. Your friends drop away, your family drops away, and nobody really knows what you're going through," the 50-year-old told Sky News' Money blog. "It's really hard to transmit those feelings because nobody can understand it unless they've really lived through it. "You don't realise until after they have fleeced you or manipulated you beyond your wildest dreams, that you've actually left yourself exposed." 'There's nothing really to say to her - is there?' Hanna presented herself as a wealthy, illegitimate daughter of the sultan of Brunei, initially spoiling Hornigold, and his partner at the time, Heather Kaniuk, with expensive gifts - including a Range Rover and a BMW. She told him that she had just months to live, but as time went on, she began leaving Hornigold and his friends with large bills for hotels, meals and other expenses. Eventually, she disappeared. The Netflix documentary shows her final phone call with Hornigold, in which she claims to be in Malaysia. Hornigold told Money that he has not spoken to her since, and he doesn't wish to. "All I know is what I have seen in the papers, which is that she was taken [arrested] in Singapore," he said. "There is nothing really else to say to her, is there? Thanks for carrying me," he laughed. 'Really, really dark place' The ordeal uprooted Hornigold's life. His marriage broke down as a result, with his ex-wife and son now living in New Zealand. "Coming back to an empty house that no longer has your child or your partner in, or your mum, was really tricky. I had to live there for a year afterwards and then clear it to sell it. That was a really, really dark place," he said. In a bid to clear the £300,000 of debt he had been left with, he gave back the cars and managed "little by little" to pay some of the money back - with around two-thirds already paid off. "Some [of the debt] is still sitting here because obviously you still have increased costs, and rent is higher than your old mortgage, and I live by myself," he said. "But it's not about the money, it's just the emotional damage that's been done." 'My business is suffering' As a top chef and a successful businessman, Hornigold has found comfort in the kitchen and in his companies - the gourmet doughnut brand Longboys, his patisserie Pretty Sweet and his consultancy Smart Patisserie. "My work has definitely kept me busy, but that again is one of those coping mechanisms," Hornigold said. While battling the issues in his personal life, he has also been trying to continue the success of his businesses in a tough economic climate. "Hospitality, like most businesses now, are taking a hit," Hornigold said. "Ingredient costs have gone up because of import taxes, the availability of goods, and the increased cost of living. There is only so much that people are willing to pay for things. "My business is suffering today but I still have a roof over my head, I've still got a family that loves me, and I've still got my reputation. "Hopefully, we can weather the storm." 'Everybody is struggling' Hornigold's positivity is infectious. Despite admitting he has a "challenging" life, he said he "always looks for the light" and wants others facing difficult times to do the same. "I'm from the generation where you just crack on. That's probably why some of the things have come to pass," he said. "I allowed this to happen because of that need for acceptance. "That's why we have to talk about mental health as a whole piece. It's not seen as a weakness any more. You can go out, fully masculine, and still be able to be heard and become healed without any sense of fear or weakness. "I mean, I'm struggling, but everybody is struggling. I still can't complain, though, can I?
Daily Mirror
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Drag Race UK star on incredible weight loss and poignant The Vivienne message
Kitty Scott-Claus, who appeared in the third series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, has lost eight pounds after making some radical lifestyle changes Pride month is in full swing, and drag queens, the so-called 'ambassadors' of the LGBTQIA+ community, are already busy entertaining crowds. In fact, today, I'm sitting with Kitty Scott-Claus who has just spent the weekend 'shouting in a mic' at Mighty Hoopla. 'I love to be the loudest person in the room,' Kitty jokes. She adds: "It's so annoying, I hate myself.' Being an entertainer is just one of the many hats Kitty wears. She was a finalist on 2022's Celebrity MasterChef and is now gearing up for a return to the West End this summer with her upcoming role in The Diana Mixtape, embodying once again Lady Di, a character with which she won the notably difficult 'snatch game' challenge on RuPaul's Drag Race. With her honest humour and infectious charisma, it didn't take long for Kitty to earn her place as one of the UK's most beloved Drag Queens. But her journey started from 'real humble beginnings', she reveals. Kitty says: 'I feel like, especially this year, this pride month, I feel so reflective of my journey, and how far I've come, and thinking 'oh my god' from where I started. 'I started doing drag at a bar in Camden and we were playing to like three people.' Kitty has since put her Bachelor's Degree from the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, in musical theater to good use. Keeping herself booked and busy, the media personality has not tired yet from the wigs and make up. 'Drag gives you the opportunity to be beautiful on the days where you don't necessarily feel beautiful,' she reveals. She further shares: 'Drag for me, I feel like I'm Barbie and I feel like it doesn't matter what the situation is, I just put on the outfit, and then I become that thing. So when I was in Masterchef, I put on my Masterchef's outfit, I feel like it's a good analogy for life.' And while many drag artists keep their art completely separate from their real lives, Kitty embodies her real personality in and out of her work attire. 'I don't really have a drag persona, I'm the same in drag or out of drag, it doesn't matter if I've got a wig on or not, I'm always going to be an attention seeker,' she says. Nevertheless, Kitty also enjoys being able to enter public spaces as herself, or rather, himself - Louie Westwood, even though 'the gays know'. She explains: 'It's fabulous, because you get to do that double life thing. 'In the words of Hannah Montana, you get the best of both worlds.' While being confident and admitting to always being happy with their appearance, Kitty also acknowledges the pressure of being scrutinised by TV views. But that wasn't the motivation for Kitty to lose an impressive eight stone. She recalls: 'I was so happy with the size I was and I never thought, because I'd grown up being a bigger individual, I'd grown up being plus size, I never thought in a million years I could be the size I am now, that just never crossed my mind. 'I'd grown up being bigger, I just didn't think that it was possible.' Upon starting working out with a personal trainer suggested by her Drag Race castmate, Ella Vaday, Kitty got a taste for a healthier lifestyle. Kitty further shared her weight loss journey, revealing how she achieved her transformation: 'The biggest thing for me was finding an exercise routine that works for you and that you enjoy. I think if you enjoy it, you don't feel like 'all right, I've got go and work out now'.' The drag artist admitted that going to the gym has become her 'zen time', a place where she can be by herself and listen to her music. In addition to the gym, Kitty also goes swimming. 'I really love swimming and that's completely disconnected from everything, I don't have a phone, I don't have music with me, I don't have any distractions,' Kitty says. 'It's me and the pool.' Diet and making radical changes to her lifestyle have also contributed to Kitty's transformation. She further debunked rumours accusing her of relying on diabetes medications that have been made popular by celebrities in recent years. 'A lot of it is diet, and I feel like especially losing weight in 2025, the world is so hot on Ozempic and Mounjaro, and everyone is so quick to say you've just done Ozempic, you're in the public eye, you have a blue tick, this is how you've done it,' Kitty admits. 'And it's like no, I'm in the gym every single day, and I love it, and I've changed my diet, I don't drink anymore, I'm sober.' She adds: 'Completely 180 of what my life was and I'm eight stone down and I've never been happier. I've never felt more confident.' Running is another activity Kitty 'absolutely loves' doing. In fact, she loved it so much, she ran this year's London Marathon, dedicating the 26.2 mile race to the late The Vivienne. 'Vive has left such a lasting legacy and it's such a powerful message that she's left behind, and it's going to inspire queens from now for generations to come,' Kitty says. 'She's so missed by everyone and I love her.' James Lee Williams, known professionally as The Vivienne, was the winner of the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK. She tragically passed in January at the age of 32 from a cardiac arrest. Despite the joy and colour brought by a month promising rainbows and acceptance, the versatile drag artist acknowledges more unfortunate events that have impacted the community this year. This includes the UK Supreme Court ruling that the legal definition of "woman" under the Equality Act 2010 is based on biological sex, excluding transgender women. 'It just reiterates how important it is to have pride and to have pride month,' Kitty reacts. 'And I mean, I'm coming to this speaking as a cisgender man about the legislation rules about trans and what is a woman. 'I think it's ridiculous and it's so stupid, like, mind your own business let live, let people live their truth, protect the dolls, that's what the most important thing is.' Kitty competed on the third series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, in addition to competing on RuPaul's Drag Race Global All Stars. She is now set to set to star in the world premiere of The Diana Mixtape from 28 th July at HERE at Outernet alongside an equally star-studded cast.
7NEWS
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- 7NEWS
TV favourite Julie Goodwin shares her easy and delicious dinner that's a chicken pie cross a potato bake
Julie Goodwin won the first season of Masterchef in 2009. Today, Julie is making chicken and leek pie. Instead of pie crust Julie tops this pie with potato bake. The recipe was actually inspired by her sons love of both dishes and she combined the two together. Recipe below: Chicken & leek pie with potato bake top SERVES 4 PREP + COOK TIME 1 HOUR Ingredients 6-8 (800g) medium washed potatoes 1 tablespoon olive oil 600g chicken thigh fillets, cut into 3cm cubes 1 leek, white and pale green parts, sliced 5mm thick 3 cloves garlic, chopped 1 brown onion, diced 2 tablespoons plain flour 1¼ cups chicken stock 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper 300ml sour cream ¾ cup grated tasty cheese fresh chives, green beans, for serving Method 1 Preheat oven to 180°C fan-forced. 2 In a medium saucepan over high heat, place the potatoes into salted water and bring to the boil. Boil for around 20 minutes or until a skewer goes easily through them. The time will depend on the size of the potatoes; don't overcook them. Drain and set aside to cool while you cook the pie filling. 3 Meanwhile, heat one teaspoon of the oil in a medium, heavy-based oven-proof frypan or shallow enamel casserole, and brown half of the chicken. Remove to a bowl and repeat with another teaspoon of oil and the remaining chicken. (It only needs to have some golden colour, not be cooked all the way through at this stage.) 4 Heat the remaining oil in the pan and sauté the leek, garlic and onion until fragrant and translucent. Return the chicken to the pan and sprinkle flour over the top. Stir to coat the chicken. 5 Add the stock, half a cup at a time, allowing the sauce to cook and thicken in between each addition. When all the stock is added, bring the sauce to a simmer and add the mustard, salt and pepper. Remove the pan from the heat. 6 Cut the cooked potatoes into 1cm slices and layer evenly over the chicken mixture. Season to taste. 7 In a small bowl, stir the sour cream until smooth, then spread over the potato. Sprinkle with the cheese. 8 Place the pan into the oven and bake for 30 minutes until golden brown and bubbling. Sprinkle with chopped chives and accompany with steamed beans, if you like.
Glasgow Times
11-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Independent Glasgow restaurant closes after 10 years
Jist Misto Bistro, which served classic and contemporary dishes, has closed and will be replaced by a new business. Located on Paisley Road West, the eatery was opened in 2015 and was described as a "heart-warming, friendly restaurant". READ NEXT: Takeaway says key to success is treating customers 'like family' The Jist Misto Instagram page which states the restaurant is closed (Image: It is not clear what date the restaurant closed, but the bio on an Instagram page for the eatery simply reads: "Closed". The last post shared on the page was on March 26. In a post about the closure shared on Facebook group Craigton, Glasgow Residents Information Group one person commented: "That's a shame. Really enjoyed JM every time I've been in." READ NEXT: Fast food chain announces 'long anticipated' location to open next month (Image: Colin Mearns) Pictures taken of the unit today (June 11) show signage has gone up for a new restaurant and takeaway called Angheeti by Masterchef contestant Sagar Massey. It will serve "true Indian flavours" according to signage, which also suggests it will open "soon" on Tuesday, June 17. Jist Misto has been contacted for comment.
