This year marks Curtis Stone\u2019s 18th season of appearing<\/a> on MasterChef Australia<\/em>. And for the LA-based chef<\/a>, it\u2019s well worth the 15-hour journey across the Pacific.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the positive attitude of both the judges and the contestants, and supporting the next generation of cooks,\u201d Curtis, 50, tells Woman\u2019s Day<\/em> of the reason why he\u2019ll always find time in his busy schedule to support the show.<\/p>\n \u201cI love being part of something that encourages people to become the best home cooks they can be. It has definitely ignited a wider love of cooking.\u201d<\/p>\n Catching up with dear friends and judges Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin, and Jean-Christophe Novelli is always a plus, too, says Curtis.<\/p>\n \u201cWe all get along so brilliantly. Andy is a great mate, he\u2019s so genuine and funny as hell, and Poh and I have been friends from day one \u2013 literally the very first season of Masterchef<\/em>. <\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s spent time with me in the kitchen in LA on her visits, and JC is a great chef and dear friend. <\/p>\n \u201cWe met 30 years ago when I cooked for him at my old restaurant Quo Vadis [in London] when he was dining with Marco Pierre White.\u201d<\/p>\n Sofia has \u201can amazing palate and knowledge of food,\u201d he adds. <\/p>\n \u201cShe doesn\u2019t take herself too seriously and is great fun to be around.\u201d<\/p>\n When he\u2019s not busy on MasterChef<\/em>, the celebrated chef is busy running his Michelin-starred restaurant, Gwen, in Hollywood, and serving as an ambassador for Coles, all while being a hands-on father to his sons Hudson, 14, and Emerson, 11, and loving husband to his wife of 13 years, Lindsay Price.<\/p>\n \u201cI love them all, they are all my babies so it doesn\u2019t feel like work,\u201d he says of how he balances his culinary pursuits with a full family life.<\/p>\n And sometimes, when there\u2019s not enough time to give, Curtis says the secret to keeping the romance alive is \u201clittle text messages of appreciation and lots and lots of flowers\u201d.<\/p>\n Curtis is about to get busier too, with Hudson launching his music and acting career \u2013 he has a new role in the Jonas Brothers\u2019 movie Camp Rock<\/em> \u2013 and while Curtis has been around long enough to see the dark side of the entertainment industry, his advice for Hudson is simple.<\/p>\n \u201cJust to keep his feet firmly on the ground, try as hard at school as you do at your music. Be kind and be humble, but most importantly, have fun!\u201d he says.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nDEAR FRIENDS<\/h2>\n
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FINDING BALANCE<\/h2>\n
Related<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n