Manu Feildel is a French celebrity chef most widely known for his participation in Australia's cookery competition programs Ready Steady Cook and MasterChef Australia, although he also achieved a solid reputation as a head chef at the restaurant Bilson's before moving to open his own restaurant, Manu at L'Etoile, in 2009.

[edit] History

In spite of a history of professional chefs in his family, including his father and a grandfather, Feildel initially considered a career in the circus before becoming an apprentice at the age of 15 in his father's school.^[1] Though he did not speak English at the time, he moved to London and took a position at the Café Royal, serving subsequently at Les Associes, the Cafe des Amis du Vin and popular seafood restaurant Livebait.^[1] Relocating to Australia, he worked at a number of restaurants for several years before opening the kitchen as head chef at Bilson's on invitation of its owner, offering contemporary French cuisine.^[1] According to The Sydney Morning Herald, he was a key factor in Bilson's "three-hat success".^[2] The Daily Telegraph indicates that it is for his service at this "exceptional fine diner" that he has fame among food lovers.^[3]

Feildel began appearing on Ready Steady Cook in 2005 and on MasterChef Australia in 2009.^[1][4] Also in 2009, Feildel left Bilson's and opened his own French bistro, Manu at L'Etoile.^[2][3]

[edit] References