Our restaurateur friend Sarah Todd has partnered with renowned chef George Calombaris in his journey going back to his roots with an incorrigible candid new series Hungry coming to Channel 10.
Premium media and production company Dual Entertainment produced this six-part series. 'Hungry' sets out to take the audience on a rich culinary journey, whether it is his memories of childhood eateries in Mulgrave or meeting everyday Australians who cook food from their soul and learning to inspire some of Melbourne's top restaurants. Co-host Sarah Todd will join him, who helps to tell the unique stories that melt together the traditions of generational cooking and modern innovation.
George Calombaris' popularity is recognised and respected worldwide, and his culinary genius navigates around a story of passion for food.
George is diverse, leading him to India, South Africa, Greece, Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom and Indonesia; and well recognised from his appearances on TV shows, including MasterChef Australia, MasterChef Poland, MasterChef Greece and Saturday Kitchen in the UK, among many others. Having won The Age Good Food Guide "Chef of The Year" Award in 2008, George has gone on to build an illustrious career, including his role as a judge on MasterChef Australia. George has an immense passion for cooking great food that draws inspiration from his Greek, Cypriot and Italian heritage.
George's career span has led him forefront of some of Australia's finest, award-winning restaurants, coaching and mentoring many of Australia's next generation of extraordinary young chefs and hospitality workers.
He is not only a mentor to young talent but has always found the time to generously indulge in important causes, including mental health and bowel cancer prevention.
Life's been challenging, surviving trials and tribulations that have come his way, but his creativity and passion for food have always remained intact. Being a risk taker and a leader, currently George is the Culinary Director at Hotel Sorrento, one of Melbourne's oldest and most cherished establishments on the Mornington Peninsula. "I'm so excited to bring Hungry to the people of Australia; it's not your normal cooking show. Hungry has heart and soul, and it'll make you want to get out and meet the people making these dishes come alive," says George.
His partner in crime and G'day India friend Sarah Todd is a classically trained chef, having learned at the distinguished cooking school Le Cordon Bleu in London. Following stints at Merchant's Tavern and St. Crispin, Sarah went on to star in season six of MasterChef Australia, where she gained a legion of fans with her infamous aloo gobi—recently returning for MasterChef Australia series 'Fans v Favourites.
Sarah opened three restaurants in India and released cookbooks, "My Indian Kitchen" and "The Healthy Model Cookbook". "Bringing Hungry to life has been a highlight of my career. It has always been important to me to ensure the food I cook is more than just the ingredients. It has been so fun to team up with George again and explore Melbourne in and outside of the kitchen together," says Sarah.
Across these six episodes, George and Sarah will navigate the pulse point, the heartbeat behind the Australian culinary scene. 'Hungry' will indulge in some of Melbourne's most iconic food hotspots, including St. Ali Coffee Roasters and Daylesford Longhouse, revealing untapped gems in Carlton, Flemington, Malvern, Collingwood and Oakleigh.
Hungry is a brave food journey of two dynamic duos, definitely not for the faint-hearted. It taps into real-life stories that matter, taking its audiences to our diverse population that pushed us to thought-provoking, innovating new ideas that prompted a culinary movement in Australia; it will take reminiscence into soul food that digs into our palate with our taste bud tingling.
Hungry also boldly delves into the food wastage issues we face, so Australia, the heat is on, and definitely, stakes are high as the stories are undoubtedly genuine.
Co-creator, director and producer of Hungry, Rikki-Lee Lacco, said, "This show was breaking the mould for us as we are looking to bring more life and energy to the stories we want to tell. This series not only sees George and Sarah break down their walls to share more of their inner world and culinary journey, but it also showcases food being the vehicle to bring people, culture and families together to share, express and connect."
Co-creator, director and producer of Hungry, Darren Anderson, said, "We are proud of Hungry - a show vastly different to other food-related content produced in this country - its honest, informative and real. George and Sarah are the perfect hosts to drive the story, and we think the Australian TV audience is ready for something a little different like Hungry."
We at G'day India wish our favourite chefs, Sarah Todd and George Calombaris, on this fantastic show. Find episodes of Hungry on 10, which premiered on Saturday 26th November, at 6:30 pm.
Nandita Chakraborty