TV celebrity French chef Manu Feildel has been spotted indulging in WA produce and meeting the people of Albany in the state’s Great Southern with rumors that he frequented the city’s infamous nightclub.
On Tuesday, an Instagram post from Feildel confirmed his visit to Albany, 400km southeast of Perth, where photos show him dining at Garrison Restaurant and Bar, sipping Akoya oysters and cocktails.
Feildel wrote that he has “traveled the country with My Kitchen Rules,” possibly hinting at the popular cooking show’s ability to highlight parts of regional WA.
“While traveling around the country with MKR, I had the pleasure of discovering the beautiful city of Alban,y WA,” he said.
The well-known TV personality and co-host of MKR had time to “squeeze in lunch” at Garrison, where he had an “absolutely amazing meal”.
“Thanks for a great time,” he said.
Garrison’s Jonni Saville-Wright told The West it was just “a normal Sunday” when Feildel walked through the doors.
Fi, the perfect waiter who was never impressed, showed him his beautiful window seat overlooking King George Sound. He was given the menu and drinks list and was allowed to settle in.”
Camera IconManu with Garrison employee Fi. Credit: Garrison/Facebook
“So no MKR, rather Garrison Kitchen Rules.”
Feildel was also captured with fans outside The White Star Hotel on Albany’s entertainment strip.
A post from a social media user claimed the chef was seen setting up his boogie at Studio 146 nightclub.
“Who got to shake it on the dance floor with Manu in Studio,” the post said.
Others were quick to confirm the sighting, some criticizing his choice of the nighttime location.
“I can’t believe he went there. I’m sure there are many better places for him to go,” said one comment.
“No, he was chill because, in Studio, he seemed to like meeting people,” wrote another person.
After a one-year hiatus, MKR returns for its 12th season, which airs in September, and will see British cooking king Nigella Lawson join Feildel as co-host and judge.
Lawson replaces former judge and paleo chef Pete Evans with whom the Seven Network parted ways in May 2020.
The cast has yet to be announced after Channel 7 made a casting callout in January asking home cooks to sign up for the show.
Teams of two from different states and territories across Australia will compete, and Feildel and Lawson will judge each team’s custom menus.