SuperSize TakeOver

It started with a simple line "Do you want fries with that" and then it became "Do you want fries and a coke with that" and then the whole super size phenomenon took the world by storm.

Is it just me or is this completely out of control and now, it's not just confined to the fast food chains. I can't even walk into a service station to pay for my petrol without being asked if I want any 'specials' from the counter - two chocolate bars for the bargain price of $4 or two packets of mints for the price of one - what? Do I have bad breath?

Even the supermarkets are out to get me with their sneaky two for the price of one or two for $4 routines, and let me tell you - here, I do get sucked in. Of course I'll get two bottles of hand wash for $4 especially when you've noted, quite clearly, that buying one on it's own will cost me $3...i mean it would be rude not to...wouldn't it?

In a world where one is not enough and just going out for a bottle of milk is never really that, it seems that someone somewhere is always leave me wanting more, sucking me into thinking one is not enough, never being satisfied with what I've got.

Well I'm fighting back - I'm saying no to the fries and coke no to the two for one or reduced prices for multiple hand wash, NO, NO, NO! I have enough stuff!

However, I'll never say no to two for one cocktails, shoes or handbags.

What I learnt from Matt Preston

I currently have a 'no dessert' rule at work. Our caterer, Zee catering serves up beautiful food and everyday they serve up delicious desserts. Now these are not your low fat variety, these are tasty, suger filled, high caloried fabulousness on a plate.

But one day after weeks of holding out and sticking by my 'no dessert' rule, I caved. I caved for a lemon delight pudding with ice cream. As I walked out to the area where the cast and crew have lunch George asked loudly what I was doing - this caused the entire crew to start chanting 'Don't do it Laki' - embarrassing to say the least! Then Matt Preston appeared.

With a booming voice he asked 'Laki - what are you doing?' He then promptly asked me to hand over my bowl of dessert. I did so...reluctantly. He walked away and gave my dessert away to someone else, returning with just one spoonful for me. Matt explained that one spoon full is all I really needed. He suggested I swirl it around my mouth, that I savour taste. And so, in front of the crew, I did so. And Matt was right. I savoured the taste, I swirled it around my mouth and I got my sweet fix, minus the mega calories.

I was given a little insight into how Matt approaches tasting so many dishes during MasterChef and I am quietly grateful he showed me that I don't need the whole bowl of dessert - I can enjoy the taste with a spoonful. Sure I will always want dessert, but if I am feeling weak, I'll go for the spoonful.

MasterChef Made Me Do It!

That's right! MasterChef made me do it - the cry from households all across the country! Cooking is the new cool and we have MasterChef to thank. The family dinner table has been set and dinner now comes with garnish. Kids are not only eating their greens but demanding better food from parents and eating out is all about discovery rather than simply being the easier option.

Whether you cook or not, if you watched MasterChef, then you too were probably hit by food stick too.

Restaurants featured on MasterChef commented on the increase in bookings from new customers, food suppliers ran out of Croquenbouche 'cones' and groceries ran out of whatever core ingredient was featured on the show the night before. But will this new-found relationship with food last? I hope so!

It's unsure why MasterChef was such a hit - was it the upbeat, positive, encouraging tone? Was it the excitement of wandering what on earth contestants would cook with those Mystery Box ingredients? Was it the passion the wannabe chefs showed. Whatever it was it worked. In these 'Difficult Economic Times' staying in is the norm and so is cooking at home. Perfect timing for a show like MasterChef!

The Friday night MasterClass was a hit - giving viewers the opportunity to learn recipes & tips from 2 of Australia's top chefs. It was an opportunity for contestants to pick the brains of the very people judging them. There was something for everyone.

The contestants were passionate and knowledgeable, competitive but caring. Their goals were clear and I hope they all go on to do great things. What the public wanted was more positive role models and That's what they got. Everyday people with a love for food, pushing themselves, jumping way outside their comfort ones and putting themselves firmly in the firing line but all the while smiling, laughing and simply trying harder every challenge!

And so, MasterChef has left an imprint on households across the country and we hope it's a lasting one. Eat up peeps - it's good for you!

A blog about potential Blog Topics!

Whilst husband and I went on road trip I wrote a small journal, which eventually turned out to be more of a food diary than a journal. Here is a list of blog topics that i did manage to note and will hopefully actually blog about... eventually.

1. MasterChef Made Me Do It: How the MasterChef phenomenon has taken Australia by storm - Adults and Kids are spending more time in the Kitchen, at the dinner table, being inventive and creative, trying new things. Cooking is the New Cool!

2. Ten Tips for a successful Road trip (How to not kill your partner when in a car for long periods)

3. I've Married a man Exactly like dad: Dad Jokes, Love of Cricket... it's all starting to seem eerily familiar!

4. Road Trip Music I swear by!

5. Women in TV - the Behind the Scenes ladies who make it all come together!

Ok - So these are the topics I am hoping to cover this week before i start work again. And given my procrastination (writing a blog about writing blogs!) it could all fall in a heap!!

Hellenic Republic

I was in Melbourne for one night. I landed at 2130 - starving, after a long day of travel and filming in 'Radelaide'. George had said I should go to Hellenic - he had called them to let them know I'd be in. To be honest, whilst I was starving I was a bit reluctant to head out let alone on my own. But my stomach made the decision easy for me. 

From the moment I walked through the door, to the moment I left, I was glad I had made the effort to go - The staff at HR looked after me so well. I took a seat at the bar - this way I could chat t the staff and have a good look at the inner workings of George's Restaurant. The food came quickly and I was brought out a selection of food to try and boy was it good. The Saganaki with figs was better than  any Saganaki I had ever had, the Taramasalata was divine the squid and the octopus cooked to perfection and the pork and rice dish beautiful. There was enough food to feed an army! It was fabulous. To finish off this gorgeous meal I had a digestive (Some alcoholic drink) and a turkish coffee...and some Greek doughnuts!!! 

Masterchefs youngest contestant Aaron was working and I was happy to see him there - working hard, learning and really putting his all into something he loves. I had a good chat to him and was so pleased to hear him sounding so enthusiastic. 

I can't wait to take husband there in a couple of weeks when we head to Melbourne for  post Masterchef holiday. 

Life's Little Questions

Why is it that we always want more than we have, even when we already have everything we need? Will we ever be truly fully satisfied? When will the wanting end? 

I took a good hard look at my life this week and realised that I take my blessed life for granted. Not once did I have to go without something I wanted. Not once did I wake up unhappy about getting to work or starting my day. I have all I could ask for yet I always want more! That's the truth of it. 

I want more time, More money, more clothes, more shoes, more everything...all the things that aren't important. All the things that don't mean anything in the end. 

On my flight to Adelaide this week, I met a lovely lady - we talked the whole trip - she's an author. One of her books is called 'Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives'. It made me wander - what is extraordinary about me? What am i doing to make a difference in this world? What mark will I leave? How will I make change? Will I? 

So many deep questions - I'll need a glass of wine to get me through this post!

The Other Paths I Could Have Taken...

Have you ever wondered what you would do if you didn't do what you are currently doing? I often wonder what i would do if I didn't work in TV. It's hard to consider what else I'd even want to do - I have been doing this since I was 17, i haven't known anything else.

I always wanted to be a singer in a smokey jazz club - is that a dream or a possibility? Well I can sing fairly well and I love jazz, but music is a hard career. I wanted to be a TV presenter but I tried my hand at it early on and decided I was much better being the one that produces the talent rather than the one who is the talent! I dream about what it will be like if I have kids - what will life look like? How will I fare in that important job - being a mum.

All in all whilst I wander about the other paths I could have taken, I am so happy I took the one I am on. No regrets! Anyway...Just wandering.

Iphone

There's a whole lot of excitement to be had when one gets a new iphone. You're a part of a gang, a club. You're privy to iphone conversations where you'll compare apps and see if your iphone is better than their iphone. But really, I have to say, my iphone is driving me insane!

I'm not sure I want this membership anymore - and knowing my luck it will like trying to weasel your way out of a fitness first membership.

The problem is the key pad - either my fingers are too fat or the keyboard is just plain annoying. Every time I got type my name 'Laki' (for example) it comes up with 'Lake' and I always hit the space button instead of the x and then, because I always type really fast and send things straight away, I end up send a msg or email that's riddled with spelling mistakes.

Sure there are plenty of things that are great about the iphone besides being a member of the exclusive (well not really) club... but for now I am stuck on the issues with the keyboard.

That's it, nothing more,just the freakin' keyboard.

Work-Life

OK so the latest thing on my mind is work...for a change. I love working in the TV industry and i have had an excellent career thus far, but as a married woman things are a bit different now and work will never be the same.

The hours I work are, to many, ridiculous. To me however it's fairly normal and understandable - we're making 6 nights of television - that takes time! As a single woman, the hours never bothered me. It's not like I had anyone waiting at home for me. But now I do and suddenly my perspective has had to change and another persons well being and feelings have to be catered for. Suddenly things are not as they used to be and this is not a bad thing. I love that after a long day on set, I come home to a man who is hanging out to see me, whose cleaned the house and made sure that when I get home he's always awake. I love the idea of knowing that there's a big cuddle waiting for me each day, that there is a rational ear to listen to my babble about my day.

My line of work will always include instability, long hours, travel and shows that don't hit the mark, but now i have a 'someone' a person who no matter what will love me, respect me and be my stability when I need it the most.

Work doesn't seem so bad anymore!

Life on the crew of MasterChef

It's been a few weeks since I set this blog up and only 2 posts - sorry! I started a new job a few weeks ago, working as a Story Producer on Masterchef Australia. The hours have been pretty full on and the workload is big. But I have to say I am really enjoying it (Thankfully!). 

Apart from the occasional lashing out I am on the receiving end of from a contestant , the crew and cast are fab! I love our contestants - they are such big foodies and I love hearing their thoughts on food, restaurants, recipes etc. When I film at the contestant house/mansion (!!) they always feed me - and it's always great! I am enjoying seeing them progress through the weeks.

They may not think it now, but everything they are going through will help them if they really want to pursue a career in the food industry - The stress of being in a house together, having to work long hours, the whole filming process will certainly toughen them up - life in the food game is not easy - neither is television!

I can't wait for you all to see the show on air (Channel 10) in April! It's a 6 night a week show (Hence my working hours!). 

Blogging

My husband thinks it's hilarious that I am blogging - because, of course, Facebook and twitter are not enough! He completely refuses to have anything to do with Facebook...but you'll find him on linked-in and I Profile somewhere! To be honest I'm not loving FB the way I used to. Twitter is my scene of choice at the moment.

So let me tell you about work. I have only one word to describe my first day in the new office at the new set: CHAOS! Perhaps it's always this way with the first series of a new show, but there are too many cooks in the kitchen (Pun totally intended!) and no-one seems to be really running the show yet. Overall the team is pretty nice though! Anyway on the upside the set looks amazing and the catering is pretty good but importantly - there is a great cafe round the corner!

The show is called Masterchef Australia - don't be confused, by the show of the same name in UK. The Australian version will be different to suit what our audiences want. My role is 'Story Producer' we work in teams of 2 - one producer and an associate producer. Not sure how the whole thing runs, but team 1 is running the show this week and my team will run it the following week and so on.

The rules of the show have changed from what I expected and the contestants are going to find this show really challenging. I'm sure we producers will too! We start filming on Sunday with the top 20.

Anyway - I can't tell you too much because it's confidential, but we'll be on air soon enough (April) so I'll be able to fill you in with more details soon.

My First Blog!

Well this is my first ever blog. I have been looking forward to getting this done for a while. Basically an avenue to say all the things that are in my head. Maybe no-one will read this, or maybe many will. I'll just ride the wave and see what happens. 

I'm off work today - I just got back from 8 days on the road in Perth and Adelaide shooting Background stories on contestants for MasterChef Australia (Channel 10, coming soon!). I love travelling, but this time it was a bit gruelling. The days were long, the weather was HOT and I was unfamiliar with the crews I was working with. 

But I am back now and I would say it was a successful trip. At least I got to visit my family and a few friends in Perth! That was such an added bonus!! 

Hopefully I'll get into a good swing with this blog...we'll see!