Food

‘They’re not cooks’: Iain ‘Huey’ Hewitson slams new age TV chefs

Jul 01, 2018

One of Australia’s first TV cook Iain ‘Huey’ Hewitson has had enough with the new generation of celebrity chefs.

In a very frank interview with the Herald Sun, the celebrity chef, 69, ranted about Australia’s current TV foodies, labelling them “game show hosts” not cooks.

Huey, as he is known, was on TV for 25 years on shows including Healthy, Wealthy & Wise, Huey’s Cooking Adventures, Huey’s Kitchen, but despite being on TV for more than two decades, Hewitson said he did not watch popular reality cooking shows MasterChef and My Kitchen Rules.

Manu Feildel, George Calombaris and Gordon Ramsay were all roasted by Hewitson – but he saved his worst serving for ‘Paleo’ Pete Evans.

Evans, who’s famed for pushing his strict paleo diet, was singled out as another example of the uninspiring new generation.

“He was a very good chef – then he discovered paleo,” he said. “But whatever rocks your boat. I find that all really weird.”

He also slammed the shows hosts’ George Calombaris and Manu Feildel. “They are game show hosts, aren’t they? That’s what they are working on. They do nothing for me. Serious chefs are Neil Perry and Kylie Kwong,” he said.

We’re use to Evans coming up with some unusual dietary health advice. Now, speaking to news.com.au podcast Balls Deep, Evans revealed he has taken his food philosophy to even further extremes.

The 45-year-old admitted he no longer follows the traditional three-meals-a-day rule and never steps foot in the gym, adding: Sometimes I don’t eat at all in a day”.

While most of our stomachs rumble at the thought, Evans says the lifestyle change has made him healthier than ever.

“I used to train at the gym. I would have a standard Australian diet. Muesli in the morning and then I’d have a wrap or sushi at lunch. Night-time I’d cook a pasta or stir-fry,” Evans said explaining his previous eating habits.