MANU FEILDEL

Manu Feildel is a French celebrity chef most widely known for his participation in Australia's cookery competition programs Ready Steady Cook, Masterchef Australia and My Kitchen Rules, although he also achieved a solid reputation as a head chef at the restaurant Bilson's before moving to open his own restaurant, Manu at L'Etoile, in 2009. He also participated in, and won, Dancing with the Stars 2011.

In spite of a history of professional chefs in his family, including his father and a grandfather, Feildel initially considered a career in the circus before becoming an apprentice at the age of 15 in his father's school. Though he did not speak English at the time, he moved to London and took a position at the Café Royal, serving subsequently at Les Associes, the Cafe des Amis du Vin and popular seafood restaurant Livebait. Relocating to Australia, he worked at a number of restaurants for several years before opening the kitchen as head chef at Bilson's on invitation of its owner, offering contemporary French cuisine. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, he was a key factor in Bilson's "three-hat success. The Daily Telegraphindicates that it is for his service at this "exceptional fine diner" that he has fame among food lovers.