It seems that Manu Feildel was destined to become a great chef from the moment he was born – his great grandfather was a pastry chef, his grandfather and father were chefs, his cousin is a chef in the United States and his mother is a great cook. But, as a child, he saw his future on the stage rather than in the kitchen, and at 13 years old he joined an amateur circus school.
By the time he turned 15, Manu had decided that the road to becoming a professional clown was a very long process, so he started as an apprentice in his father’s restaurant. After a year, he progressed to a fine dining restaurant where he finished his apprenticeship. Shortly after, Manu was bitten by the travel bug and he packed his knives and headed for London.
His first job at The Cafe Royal was hard, to say the least, as Manu didn’t speak any English. But his perseverance paid off and, after working at restaurants such as Les Associes and Café des Amis du Vin, he took up a position as Chef de Partie at the seafood restaurant Livebait and that's when he says he really began to understand and love the career he had chosen. Manu stayed with Livebait for couple of years, progressing to Sous-Chef and then Head Chef with the nomination of best seafood restaurant in the UK in 1998.
In 1999 Manu flew to Melbourne where he worked at Toofeys for about 6 months before heading north to Sydney. After 6 months with Hugo’s at Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach, he opened the kitchen at the new Hugo’s Lounge in Kings Cross. Manu ran the kitchen for about 18 months before he moved to Restaurant VII with its exciting fusion of French and Japanese cuisine (2 Chef’s Hats from Sydney Morning Herald).
In 2004, Tony Bilson approached Manu to open his new venture Bilsons at the Radisson Hotel. In its second year of opening, the restaurant won 2 Chef’s Hats, and in its third year, this accolade had increased to 3 Chef’s Hats.
It seems Manu’s career has turned full circle, as he returns to his roots cooking contemporary French cuisine. Moreover, his natural ability and desire to entertain has also been given another opportunity to shine – Manu was asked to join the cooking show Ready, Steady, Cook and, after 2 successful seasons, has become one of the most popular and entertaining chefs on the show.
Yes he did win - at least the dancing part. His new girlfriend is nothing much to look at - How could you Manu? Sexy chef like you deserves a sexy woman and she aint it!!!
I believe that Manu did win DWTS. I was so glad to hear that as I thought that he really deserved to win. Congratulations Manu
do you sign lemons
Is Manu still with DWTS or has he been eliminated? I was hoping that he would win.
mmmmmmm......yummy!
Im still interested in how old he is
I think that he is in his mid to late 30's.
I think that in the next MKR they should either remove Manu or Pete Evans as one of the judges and put Huey in their place as I think that he would make a great judge.
Hi Manu, I don't know if you read these comments or not but I am a huge fan of yours. It has always been a dream and a wish to one day meet you in person. I would love to one day dine in your restaurant and try to meals you prepare. If I were to get a message back from it would make my day. Love Tammy P.S you are a very handsome man ;-)
Hi Manu I don't know if you read these messages but I am a huge fan of yours , i am going to your restaurant on 9th may my birthday with my husband, I would love to meet you it would make my birthday special Just to meet you, we dont get out much so you can imagine how exited we are. From Marilyn x
hi manu...i tried the mee goreng with some slight changes, and it was great. And it is all the more impressive when a novice can get those types of flavours on to the plate. I read the recipe and think it is missing something special, but when i am eating it, it is a full flavour bonanza....i have only just got into cooking (with enthusiasm) after watching MKR. I would love to see more indochina recipes (if you have some). Also, can u recommend some good french places to eat in melbourne? after watching MKR, i desperately want to eat some of your dishes...will have to travel up to sydney to do so, but in the mean time any recommendations off you would be greatly appreciated.
Stella Hi love the concept of the show My Kitchen Rules .The one problem I have is the time limit chicken has to be cooked completely and certainly no pink meat.It is always a worry for me, and the steak tartare raw egg and all wow that actually made my tummy turn cartwheels.I was under the impression that completely raw meat was not really too good to consume and raw eggs!!I would love to see Manu and Pete do a menue they have not done before in say half hour , would love to see them sweat HA that would really draw in a large viewing audience.
I don't like you. I think that you and Pete Evans are up yourselves and you are far too judgemental. Those contestants on MKR are not chefs, they are only home cooks and they don't have the qualifications and the experience that you have. I actually think that they do a good job. I would never compete on your show as if I got some of those remarks that you give some of the contestants, I would have walked out. I think that George and Gary from Masterchef are much better than you two. I would like to stick you in the kitchen with Gordon Ramsay as he would knock some your cockiness out of you.
Noel. I totally agree with what Twilight has to say. I don't like Manu either. He was far too critical on MKR and he has an obscention with sauces. I would never compete on any of those shows as I can't stand any critism and I am also a sore loser. If I had to put up with any of those comments they made about my food, then my comments would have to be bleeped out. Also I like my steak to be well done and I would have cooked my steak that one. If myself and my partner was on that show and we had to go to an elimination round, then we would have quit.
Noel what has happened to freedom of speech. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and if you didn't like what Twilight said, then too bad.
Well Noel it is me again. Everyone is entitiled to their opinions and not everyone is going to agree. When you said that there is no need to bring a poem in the show, I take it that you meant a Pom who uses a lot of colourful language. I am certainly not bored with my life. I am far from it. Let just say that it is best that we agree to disagree.
At last, I finally got a comment to my reply. Noel if only the fish bit as well as you just did and you would have to have the same name as what my uncle has. I do happen to like that show, but I still feel that the judges are harsh on the critism and a friend of mine feels the same. I think that Manu is obsessed with sauces all the time. I don't use a lot of sauces with the foods I made and I get no complaints from my family members. Another thing that made me mad is when one of the contestants used packaged puff pastry when they made one of their dishes. They only had 30 minutes to cook and they felt they didn't have the time to made their own pastry and they got critised for that.
Twilight i think you should take the comments you are writing and leave. You are obviously a ... cook if you have taken so much offence to there remarks on the show. Have you ever heard of constructive critism? This is an Australian show so i would like to see this kept in our shores, no need to bring a poem into this with a few colourful profanities. Do you have a personal vandetter against this show as it seems you must not have any better things to do with your time. Maybe you should stick to shows such as Hueys Kitchen where things are a little more scripted. Maybe think before you loose your cool. The judges are doing there job...JUDGING!
Manu, you are the most loved chef by many women in Tasmania. I watch and read any stories or programs that you are on. I find your recipes are great and someone like me is able to make your wonderful dishes. I follow you and have travelled to see you cook and hope that one day you will cook for me. Fingers crossed that my happen in Melbourne at the Good Food and Wine show this year.
I was discusted with the way you scored the contestants on MKR tonight. Once again they are not professional chefs and they were put under a lot of pressure and I thought that Donna and Reade did a good job and I would have loved to have tried their pie.
Love you, Manu! I'm maybe a 1 million and 1 girl who wants you to be her chief)))
I think that you are far too critical on MKR. You seem to have an obsession with sauces all the time. These people who are on MKR are not professional chefs but you judge them as such. Some of the scores that you have given I feel that weren't very fair.
I absolutely love to watch you cook and the passion in your food is amazing keep up the good work I do have to agree with the other ladies you have something that seems to attract your ora is huge and when you speak well what can I say amazing I will continue to follow you on MKR Take care Sue
i went to Letoile on the weekend, had an amazing 3 course meal! went up to say hi to Manu, OMG he got shy! so cute though!!
Without a doubt, Manu is amazing, he is the reason why i want to study food in France, I've been there so many times when i was a little girl as i have family over there, at such an early age i fell in love with France and long to go back one day soon! I watch nearly every show Manu is in, i love his recipes and also his humour! .... Manu, vous êtes incroyable! x
I loves his food I want him to be my chef in my wedd xo manu mawhhhhhh
Manu you are so sexy!
hello Manu you are mine and brookes hero(by the way im Kaleb) brooke thinks your a beast of a thing!!!!
Manu loved you on Ready Steady Cook, Loved you more on Masterchef, Loved you on My Kitchen Rules. . . but i ADORED you on Perth's Telethon recently. You sexy devil. I just Love You anywhere. Come back to Perth again and open a restaurant here. Pleeeeeeeeeeease. You Rule Manu x x x
I've just been to the Good Food & Wine Show in Brisbane and I have to say he was just the best in the celebrity theatre, so entertaining and lovely and his maman's recipe for the tarte tatin is great! I also got the DVD boys weekend and I just can't stop watching it!!! Love your work Manu, and I hope I get to dine at your restaurant one day :)
Manu have you gone quiet?
where is his restaurant??
Hi Manu, I have been a fan of yours for years now. I feel you are a very talented man who knows how to have fun. I was fortunate enough to have dinner at your restaurant on Saturday. Unfortunately it was not a good as I expected based on your my past experience with you as Head Chef at Bilson's. I think the main thing that was missing was you. I strongly believe that you need to spend some quality time with your employees. This will ensure that they follow your high standard of quality food and service.
Hi, love your work, great fun and down to earth. Love Boys Weekend - great recipes and such fun to watch.
Hi Manu, love to watch you on Ready Steady Cook, the boys weekend and MKR. Love your sense of humour, you're too funny. Great character and great chef, congrats on your success.
I am going to your restaurant on the 10th april, I do hope you are there and that duck is on the menue,and a french dessert...mmmmmm
Hey Manu, it's great to know you guys are doing well with your show, congrats! Enjoyed working with you at Balgowlah. Cheers
Manu, you are just GORGEOUS.... I love seeing you in "My Kitchen Rules" I love your expressions! I look forward to every Monday and Tuesday night so I can watch MKR!
Hi my name is Jackson and i'm a student doing an assignment on Manu Feildel and this website was very helpful!!!!!!!!!!!
Him, I lun nadin, and susu, and sarah, and were in maths class not learing
Hi Manu Thanks for letting me join in. I hope one day i will do better than just being a dishwasher You make Cooking a lot a fun
Hi Manu I'm a great fan and love to watch you cook, on boys weekend. Any chance ofyou cooking up some of your favorite French recipes?
id give anything too meet u
Yum Yum yr HOT
manu i luv u sooo much u are gorgous just 1 kiss please and i have gave you my sons email.
manu i absolutley adore ur humour. Handsome and funny!! Looking forward to visiting ur resturant. xxx
you can make a hot dog look great
love boys weekend love ready steady cook and im sure im going to love my kitchen rules
je recommence car en ecrivant en francais...on finit par ne plus reussir a lire a cause des accents! voila j'aime bien ce que vous faites, je suis francaise et prof en australie , si seulement je pouvais cuisiner comme vous!! a bientot, jane
bonjour je vous ai vu à la télé, je vous trouve fantastique!! je suis française et j'enseigne le français, à bientôt far.b@voila.fr
my husband Jim & I just love your show, Boys Weekend. Great fun & love the recipes. Hope this becomes a regular show.
Dear Manu-love your sense of humour in BOYS' WEEKEND and 'READY STEADY COOK'.U made those shows so watchable!
bravo manu un francais de toowoomba gerard
Manu - They say everyone has a twin. If I could add a picture - you would see yours. My partner, Simon is a dead ringer for you. Mind you, he is missing the accent.
Just joined the Manu fan club. Favourite T.V. chef. Everyone I know loves him. Can't wait to visit his restaurant one day soon.
Manu you know you have the best Silky Sausage....Delicious!!!!!
hi from saudi arabia, i am an aussie and fell accross the men in a show from the united arab emirates, and my daughter told me manu is her fav chef from the show, so hi thanks for the entertainment and the cooking,,, the cuisine in saudi is amazing, cheers
He's gorgeous, I love his accent, oh and his cooking isn't bad too.
Manu your the funniest chef... LOL
I know this is irrelevant but how old is Manu Feildel?
Manu is the great cook and a handsome one to ,l love watching him on ReadySteadyCook.He can cook for me anytime
AaaaH! Wot can I say, neva thought I'd get into the French, let alone their cooking until Manu came along! Mmmm, Yum! Yum! to both, Manu you can cook in my kitchen any time, better still let's cook together :)
Last weekend my husband and I had the chance to go to Manu’s new restaurant L'etoile. It was absolutely fantastic; we loved every minute of it. We were also very lucky to meet Manu too! I would also like to take this chance to thank him. You were so very kind to stop your work to have a quick word with us. My husband is an avid fan, and to meet you just meant the world to him. This was an experience we will never forget, thank you. .
To The Professor: L'etoile Restaurant and Bar 211 Glenmore Rd Paddington 2021 NSW Phone: (02) 9332 1577 Website: www.letoilerestaurant.com.au Chef: Manu Feildel Information retrieved from: http://www.yourrestaurants.com.au/guide/?action=venue&venue_url=letoile
More recipes please!!
Does he have a cook book out. Desperate to find it for someone.
Thankyou, manu for inspiring me to be a better cook, your love and passion for food is contagious. I love your personality, and maybe one day i will get to cook with you! Thank-you soooo much!
Manu - not only can you cook extremely brilliantly - but you are entertaining, extremely handsome and married! *sob, sob* ......
my 6 year old daughter loves manu she wants to be a chef just like him even thought i'm a chef she wants to be like manu and already cooks he inspires us to cook together
This man can cook!!!!
Were is manu's new resturant has he left Bilsons yet
Loved this show. The food was so ME! Would love the recipe for baba ganoush. Please add to the rest of the recipes for us all to enjoy (or email me). Thanks.
I think Manu is the Top!
Manu, top chef, i lived in France as a child for a while with my Dad who was a Baker and run bakerys all over Euroupe, i miss the flavours and atmosphere of France. Hope to get back there oneday. Manu is the best far as i am concerned hopefully oneday will get to eat something he has cooked. x