Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/80373
sheila I food news Man-u-man, AIN'T HE SOMETHING cheeky chef-cum-showman extraordinaire to find out what he has been up to in the lead up to this year's Good Food and Wine Show. He's French, fancy, flirty and he can cook – is there anything this Manu cannot do? Belinda Cipriano caught up with the Belinda: So what you have been up to all year? Manu: It's been a mad year again. My Kitchen Rules 3 launched in February and blew us all away with its success, and then my second book Manu's French Bistro was released early March. I have just set up a new business which is a kitchen location for photo shoots, and I am off to La next week. and of course I am preparing for the Good Food Wine Show Perth, which I am looking forward to. I love coming to Perth, because I have quite a few friends there and the dining just keeps getting better. Belinda: On to your new cook book - tell us about it and how it came about? Manu: Manu's French Bistro is the next step on from my first book Manu's French Kitchen. The dishes are a little more involved and inspired by what we serve at the restaurant L'etoile. I am very proud of it and am now working on my third book which will be out in 2014. Belinda: Growing up was there anyone who inspired you to cook and where and when did your love of food begin? Manu: My family is full of cooks and chefs. My grandfather was a chef and I remember he always smelt of the kitchen. My mum was a great cook and many of the recipes in my first book were inspired by her and my Dad was a Chef. I actually had my first job with him in his restaurant. Belinda: You have been to Perth a few times what are your favourite restaurants? Or is there anywhere you would like to try on your next visit? Manu: Amuse is my favourite and Pata Negra is one I'd like to try. Gary and George have raved about it, so I need to try to get down there. Belinda: Is there a West Australian chef that has impressed you? Manu: I think you have an array of great talented cooks in WA. The Troys at Amuse are doing a great job and people like Ian Parmenter and Anna Gare have been great advocates for WA food and dining. Belinda: What do you think of West Australian produce? Manu: Amazing. You are lucky with not only your proximity to the sea, but also the amazing regions you have like the Margaret River. SHEILA JULY 2012 93