Junior Master Chef Alex Gearing Meets Castaway’s Senior Master Chef

Posted on April 26, 2011 | 0 comments

BIG CHEF, LITTLE CHEF AND A HUGE EASTER EGG HUNT ON CASTAWAY ISLAND, FIJI!

We’re were excited to have the amazing Alex Gearing on island over Easter participating in the huge Easter Egg Hunt with over 100 other kids. Alex and his family spent Easter enjoying the stunning weather and the food created by our own MasterChef – Lance Seeto.

Excerpt from Fiji Times…

One of Australia’s Junior Masterchefs was holidaying in Fiji with his family for Easter, and met up with

Sunday Fiji Times contributor Chef Lance Seeto on Castaway Island yesterday.

Alex Gearing, aged 11, was one of the top 5 finalists on Australia’s top rating cooking show “Junior

Masterchef”, after moving to Australia from England three years ago where he never dreamt of being on

television. He has a real passion for cooking and is loving his first time in Fiji. Asked about his first

impressions of Fiji, Alex says “everyone has been so nice and I’ve been at the beach enjoying the sun

everyday!”.

Talking about Chef Seeto’s menus he said “His food is really good and I love how he has infused a little

bit of Fijian culture in all his dishes. I really felt like I was in Fiji when I ate his food. And lots of lots of

coconuts too!”

Alex, his brother Adam, and the rest of his family have been holidaying in Fiji to get away from the colder

weather in Australia and to experience the South Pacific for the first time. Alex’s mother, Elizabeth said

that coming to Fiji has been beyond the family’s expectation and a great holiday destination for families.

“The people here are just so friendly and welcoming. We’re coming back for sure!”

While on Castaway Island, Alex and nearly one hundred other children have been enjoying the special

Easter holiday activities including their Amazing Race-style adventure which saw them race across the

island competing and learning about Fijian cuisine and culture. One of the challenges was making

herbal Noni juice from kura with their bare hands, and another was ordering food in Fijian from the

kitchen.

Having watched the TV show on DVD’s sent by his friends in Australia, Chef Seeto is a huge admirer of

the Junior Masterchef series as it promotes cooking skills and a better appreciation of food amongst

young people. “I think kid’s like Alex are great role models for the younger generation, showing them that

learning to cook is not just for the grown ups. If people of Alex’s age can learn to appreciate a wide

variety of different cuisines, cultures and cooking styles, it will only benefit them later in life.”

Alex loves cooking a variety of dishes but his most favourite is desserts. He admits Crème Brulee is the

most difficult thing he has ever made and would love to work in television as a presenter or a chef when

he grows up.

As a parting gift and memory of his stay, Chef Seeto presented Alex with a specially-made Castaway

Island cap embroided with “Chef” and extended a personal invitation to return Fiji as his guests the next

holidays.

Published in The Fiji Times, Wednesday 27th April 2011

Junior MasterChef Alex Gearing on Castaway Island Fiji for Easter