Fast Ed on food, family and ‘amazing’ mate Harry Cooper

He’s known for whipping up delicious treats on our tellies every Friday night, but this much-loved celebrity chef didn’t always envision a career in food.

‘Fast Ed’ Halmagyi, as he’s known, has become a household name over the past decade thanks to his successful stint on Channel 7’s Better Homes and Gardens, transforming elegant restaurant cuisine into recipes that anyone can prepare at home.

While he’s undoubtedly skilled in the kitchen, slicing and dicing like the best of them, the 43-year-old chef didn’t plan on a life behind the chopping board and only learned how to cook because his parents worked long hours most of his childhood.

“I always had to cook at home, my parents were both professionals and often not home,” he told Start at 60. Like many kids growing up in the 1970s and ’80s, he was expected to help around the house pitch in when needed. “By the time I was 14 it was expected we were able to make dinner ourselves.”

It wasn’t just at home that the now-TV chef was put to work. He started his career as a 15-year-old kitchen hand, eventually working his way up to assistant chef. Now, he has more than 20 years experience and has cooked in some of the world’s best restaurants, both in Australia and overseas.

Cooking isn’t his only passion, and unknown to many, Ed is also a photographer, running a commercial photography in Sydney called Roughcut Studio on top of his TV duties. Despite a seven-day workweek, the loving father still manages to spend time with his family: graphic designer wife Leah, and two children, Luca and Finn.

“I’ve got a great relationship with my kids … I still coach my son’s soccer team,” he explained. “I work very long hours, [but] I don’t have another way to provide for my family, so I do it to the best of my ability.”

Family time is some Ed treasures and it’s also the driving force behind many of the comfort-food dishes he whips up on Better Homes and Gardens every Friday night. The show is celebrating 1000 episodes on June 29, and Ed is one of its longest-serving hosts having been there for nearly 15 years. 

He says he’s developed close friendships with his co-hosts over his time on the program, but none more so than with beloved vet Dr Harry Cooper.

Read more:Dr Harry opens up about dealing with daughter’s tragic death

“I’ve got a real soft spot for Harry Cooper,” he said. “Harry’s not just been a been an amazing guy to work with but he’s been a really great personal friend who has helped me through a bunch of difficulties over the years. I couldn’t speak highly enough of him — he is a kind, generous, remarkable man.

So after almost two decades on Aussie screens what does Fast Ed hope he’ll be remembered for when he finally does leave the show?

 “When my time does end with the show I’d like to leave behind a little bit of a legacy,” he said. “I work very hard to assure that every Friday night families around Australia can sit down and spend some time together, by helping to craft a product that allows them to share a little bit of joy.”

Are you a fan of Fast Ed? Do you watch Better Homes and Gardens?