One of my more memorable dinners happened last week. It’s not often you hang out with an 80s popstar and a current pop cultural icon.
Some background: Months ago, in the middle of Masterchef fever, I wrote this post, waxing lyrical about how brilliant I thought it was that someone so unique and charismatic had been cast in a commercial TV show and had captured the hearts and minds (and, yes, even loins) of so many Australians.
Here’s reminder of why:
Such a refreshing change in a sea of bland, forgettable people who are usually cast in TV shows (memo to network casting directors: more diversity please!). Anyway, it turns out that the person who DID cast Matt in Masterchef (he has been well known to foodies for years as an exceptionally gifted and well-loved food writer and critic) was one Henri Stride (Henri is a girl) who was the casting director at Channel 9 when I was there. As well as casting the Catchup together, Henri was a wonderful friend during my less-than-a-year at 9 and we supported each other through some pretty interesting times. Enough said about THAT.
I hadn’t seen Henri since we both left Channel 9 and waddya know, she now works as a talent agent with a number of celebrity clients including Matt. So. After I wrote my initial post about him, Matt emailed me and we struck up something of a rapport. My son was stoked because he is a wannabe chef and Matt was kind enough to critique a photo I sent to him of some meals Luca had prepared for me.
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Oh, and I saw George Columbaris (sorry about the spelling, george!) at Ikea in Melbourne once!
I was working at a jewellery store at Melbourne's Crown Casino when a couple of italian guys came in asking about some pieces. Making small talk, I asked what they were doing in Melbourne, they said they were there for the Moto GP. "Here to watch?" I asked, "Something like that," was the reply. One of the guys asked for my number so I could maybe show them around but as we were very flat out that night I brushed it off - besides, who does that? Odd.
Finished work at that night on Sports Tonight, who did I see but the guy who was asking for my number - Valentino Rossi! - Who knew - Ouch!