The surfer proves he is more than
just a pretty face!
He may not have won
the contest but it is MasterChef Australia Season 3
participant Hayden Quinn who is making the biggest splash in the food world.
When he was voted out of the hit series earlier this year, he received huge
support from South African fans and made the decision then and there that he
had to visit this country.
Quinn – who holds a degree in marine biology - will be one of the hottest
attractions at the new look Good Food & Wine Show which comes to the Coca
Cola Dome in Johannesburg from September 21 to 24.
The sexy surfer and chef is now one of Australia’s favourite new personalities.
Hayden was crowned ‘Cleo Bachelor of the Year’ in 2012 and he has a new book
and TV show coming out soon. He also has a project he’d like to do in South
Africa.
He answered some questions put to him prior to his visit:
Tell us who inspired you to get into the kitchen?
I grew up in the kitchen with my mum. She was a home economist (she has since
changed careers but is still better than me in the kitchen). I loved food,
loved eating, and I was always very active so having good food was a massive
driver for me to learn how to cook. From learning from mum in the kitchen at
home to watching famous chefs like Jamie Oliver and Rick Stein on television I
was always interested in food and keen to try as many foods and dishes as
possible.
How would you describe your style of cooking?
Relaxed, fun, fresh, vibrant and sharing food that tells a story.
How has competing in MasterChef Australia changed your
life?
A lot! It has opened so many doors for me and enabled me to do something that I
love very much, from food (cook books, cooking shows), to travel (to places like
South Africa for the GFWS), to sport (Ironman commentator).
What is your stand-out moment from the series?
Oh, that’s a tricky question!! The whole experience was pretty amazing but it
was hard work! I was in the house for six months so it was a long time. But I
think the stand out moment for me was probably in my first cook off in the
MasterChef Kitchen where I won the challenge and then went on to gain the
immunity pin that really set me up for the series. And going to New York was
incredible; I love that city and have spent plenty of time there in the past.
Are there any particularly memorable moments from the
series that weren't captured on camera?
I think some of the times when we were just at the MasterChef house were
special. Times we could just spend together and hang out and chat. I also
enjoyed sneaking out the front garage and riding my skateboard around, reminded
me of surfing. I guess the little things kept it interesting.
Throughout the competition you had some tough challenges –
what was your worst and favourite challenge, and why?
Worst would have had to have been the challenge in the Qantas First Class
Kitchen. It was my first and only opportunity to captain a team and things did
not go too well. I really love being a part of teams and feel I am a pretty
good leader but this challenge was terrible! And yet another elimination for
me! (I was in 10 out of 11 eliminations I think!)
The best challenge for me was on Matt Moran’s farm; real cooking, cooking over
open fire, in the country, I guess similar to your braai cooking. It reminded
me of camping and surf trips with mates where you cooked over hot coals.
What have you done since leaving the show – we believe
that a TV show/book are in the pipeline, is this correct and can you tell us
about them?
I have been a busy boy! Lots of amazing food, travels and sport focused things.
I love being able to share with people how important a healthy and balanced
lifestyle. I travelled last year to India and did a dinner for 200 Indian fans
with Dani Venn at the Four Seasons Mumbai, it was an incredible experience. I
also went to NY and did a little filming around part of the city I love. All
the while I was working on my cook book.
I am also a part of a new wine label which is about to launch in Australia called
Kooks which is all about accessible, tasty wine which gives back to the
community.
Were you surprised how many people around the world
followed the show?
Sure was! It is crazy to see the support from all over the world. I guess that
is due to the accessibility of social media etc. but for example when I was
eliminated from the show in South Africa, the tweets and Facebook posts that I
received were incredible. Thanks guys! It’s great to know that people have
enjoyed the food we cooked and that our Australian character can touch people
all over the world.
You are a qualified marine biologist – do you see yourself
using this degree in the future?
I use my degree every day. I think going to university is one of those things
that has really set me up for life. I may not analyse the effects of CO2 on
ocean acidification any more but I still have a huge passion for the protection
of our oceans and have the degree under my belt has helped me a lot in
understanding the importance of sustainable seafood and making sustainable
seafood choices. I am also in talks with a South African organisation around
sustainable seafood which is looking like a very exciting project so I can’t
wait to talk more about that once we have it all locked in.
What has happened to the surfing and life-guarding?
What do you mean? They are very much still there, sounds like they have died a
sad death! I still surf frequently (although I am a lot busier these days) and
I also help out on the beach Lifeguarding where and when I can and when the
boys need me. I had worked for the lifeguard service for seven years before
MasterChef so it’s not something I could leave easily. I was also the beach
services co-ordinator so not just working on the beach.
Where do your food dreams still have to take you?
I have a lot of big dreams and plans for the future. I am currently working on
a very big project which is going to take my passions and my loves to the
world. For me it is not only about food, food is just a part of my story, for
me it is much bigger, it is about people, stories, health and wellness and of
course about discovering more about our world. Watch this space!
What's the best culinary advice you've ever received?
There are a couple; 1. Cook what you love to cook. 2. Don’t worry so much about
measuring (unless you are doing some crazy dessert) 3. Have a sharp knife!
Are you looking forward to your first visit to South
Africa?
I cannot wait! I am so pumped, one of the things I love about what I do, and
what I have done all my life is travel. And for me South Africa is one of those
places I have always dreamed about visiting, for the surf (think Endless
Summer) for the wildlife, and of course the people and the food. I love
immersing myself in a country, a culture and sharing with others what I love,
so I cannot wait to see what SA is all about.
What can visitors to the Johannesburg Good Food & Wine
Show expect from you?
They can expect a lot of fun, some good stories and a heap of interaction with
me. One thing I love about food shows is the ability to be face to face with
people who love your food. Lots of questions, lots of chatting with the crowed
and of course some fresh, tasty and simple recipes which I love to cook at home
in Australia and there might even be one or two from my new book Dish It Up
which is going to be available in December this year.
• The Johannesburg Good Food & Wine Show takes
place from September 21 to 24 at the Coca Cola Dome. Booking at
Computicket or go to www.goodfoodandwineshow.co.za
