Interview: Kate Bracks — MasterChef 2011 Winner & MasterChef LIVE Ticket Giveaway

When I told my girls I was going to interview Kate Bracks for my blog, they were ecstatic. My Cool-Mum factor went right up, so thanks for that Kate.  The girls did a few pictures for me to send to Kate.

MasterChef, the televised series, became a fun part of our evenings, and it’s a bit sad now it’s over. But wait! There’s still MasterChef LIVEwhich you can read about after my interview with Kate.  I also have 2 double passes to giveaway to the show at the end of the post.

Interview with Kate Bracks

I’m so happy to welcome the lovely Kate Bracks, mum of three and 2011 MasterChef winner to the blog today.  You can follow Kate on Facebook and her blog.

Kelly: Kate, as a mum it would have been difficult to be separated from your husband and children. What helped you manage through the time apart?

Kate: It was definitely the most difficult part of my involvement. Regular skype calls (2 a week) and visits (every 2-3 weeks) and production breaks (there were 3) certainly helped.  Also my husband was incredibly encouraging…telling me they were all fine and I should just enjoy myself and make the most of it.

“My husband was incredibly encouraging…telling me they were all fine and I should just enjoy myself and make the most of it.”

Kelly: My children are much more interested in food since watching this season of MasterChef.  Has the food culture in Australia changed due to the success of MasterChef, and how can this be a beneficial thing for children and adults alike?

Kate: I do think there was a noticeable shift in Australia’s food culture after the first season aired, and I think it’s just strengthened with each subsequent season.  I think that in particular this season saw a lot more children engage with the show and consequently with food.  I think it’s a great thing.  We all need to be connected with where our food comes from and take part in its preparation…plus it can be such a source of joy!

“We all need to be connected with where our food comes from and take part in its preparation…plus it can be such a source of joy!”

Kelly: You’ve inspired me to think of preparing food, not just as a chore, but as something that can add value to family life. How do you use food to nurture an emotional wellbeing in your family?

Kate: One of the greatest everyday joys in life is seeing the faces of people when you place food in front of them that they can’t wait to get stuck into. The moment may be brief but the joy of that lasts much longer.  It’s just one way in which we can show love.  And as a mum there are plenty of times too, when my food is not always greeted with wild enthusiasm (particularly if there are lots of vegetables involved) but I see that as an important time to teach our kids how to care for the bodies they’ve been given – they only get one!

Kelly: What is your favourite family dinner meal?

Kate: My personal favourite is spaghetti and meatballs – fun to eat, tasty and nutritious (with all the hidden vegies).  But my kids would say burritos. They ask for them all the time!!!

Kelly: How do you plan to balance the writing of your cookbook and family life?

Kate: Well, it’s a challenge!  Now that I’ve been home for 3 weeks, I’m finding my groove.  It’s a matter of giving each area (kids, housework, cookbook writing, recipe testing, appearances) a set amount of time and at the end of that, what is done is done.  At the end of the day, though, I am a wife and mum first so they will always be my priority.  But my big secret weapon is my amazing husband who does a lot of the school drop offs and pick-ups and does a lot of the housework at the moment too!!!

“At the end of the day, I am a wife and mum first so they will always be my priority.”

Kelly: What advice would you give mums who are keen to take a step in following their passion?

Kate: For other mums with passions I say, do it!  Life is short so make the most of the opportunities you have (and sometimes that means making the opportunities).  However, you need to be realistic too; being a wife and mum are important roles and should always come first.  And there are seasons in life when your situation will dictate what you are capable of.

“…being a wife and mum are important roles and should always come first.  And there are seasons in life when your situation will dictate what you are capable of.”

I will be trying Kate’s Lime, Sour Cream and Coconut Cake and I’ll post the recipe on the blog soon.

MasterChef LIVE 2011

MasterChef LIVE looks absolutely brilliant.  There’s a wonderful line up of guests. From cooking mains with Michael, hot dishes with Hayden, and sweets with Kate and Billy, this year’s line-up at MasterChef Livein October offers all MasterChef disciples a chance to ‘plate up’ with contestants.

Apart from the contestants, the star line-up for MasterChef Live 2011 also includes top chefs; Peter Gilmore, Peter Kuruvita, Kylie Kwong, Colin Fassnidge, Vincent Gadan, Greg Doyle, Alessandro Pavoni, Matt Kemp, Miguel Maestre, Dan Hong, Peter Doyle, Warren Turnbull, Tony Bilson, Luke Nguyen, Giovanni Pilu and Adriano Zumbo, as well as Junior MasterChef host, Anna Gare.

Below is a snapshot: 

Junior MasterChef Workshop

There’s a Junior MasterChef workshop run by the guys at Kids Pantry and presented by the Sunday Telegraph. Kids Pantry will be teaching future foodies how to make scrumptious salads and delicious desserts.

Book Tickets

Check out the website for more details and ticket prices or book on Ticketek. It’s sure to be a memorable experience.

Giveaway

* Giveaway now ended. Winners have been notified by email **

I’m giving away 2 double passes to MasterChef LIVE.  Be quick though; the giveaway is open only until Monday 12 September 2011. To enter, all you need to do is leave a comment below.

Terms

1. The giveaway is for tickets only. The event is in Sydney, Australia so transportation to and from event is the responsibility of the winners.
2.  Winners will be drawn randomly and notified by email.
3. Open to Australian residents only.
4. If a reply email is not received within 48 hours, the prize will be redrawn.