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Last year Better Homes and Gardens farewelled chef “Fast” Ed Halmagyi after 20 years on the show, prompting its legion of dedicated fans to wonder: Who will replace him?
The answer? Celebrated chef and MKR judge Colin Fassnidge, who will bring his special brand of cheeky Irish charm to the table from from Friday, 2 February 2024 on Channel 7 and 7plus.
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The popular TV personality and two-hatted chef will share his much-loved family recipes as the show celebrates its 30th anniversary.
“Working on Better Homes and Gardens really feels like coming home,” Colin says.
“I’ve been friends with (host) Johanna Griggs ever since I started at Channel 7, and the rest of the cast and I get on like a house on fire.
“I can’t wait to get out on the road and travel around this beautiful country, cooking with some of the best and freshest produce in the world.”
Speaking to 7LIFE, Colin said he knew he had big shoes to fill after Fast Ed’s departure at the end of 2023.
“It’s a little bit scary, but it’s a good challenge and a lot of fun as well,” he said of joining the cast of BHG.
“This show means a lot of things to a lot of people.
“I’m going to bring a bit of Irish spice to the table!
“I want to do fun, affordable cooking — I’m a chef, but I’ve also got kids as well, so I know how hard it is to put food on the table in this day and age with the cost of living and interest rate rises.
“I want to show people how they can use cheaper cuts of meat, how to save time, how to feed the family on a budget, but still make delicious meals.”
As for his long connection with Jo Griggs, it dates back to his first ever Australian season of MKR.
“She came around to my house and did a little cooking segment there,” he explains.
“I’ve known her for years and I see her all the time.
“I know most of the cast members, we run into each other around the traps all the time.
“So it’s not like I’m coming in out of the blue — but still, (the cast) were very welcoming.”
Asked why he thinks Better Homes and Gardens is still so popular with viewers after all this time, Colin says it’s a show that has “something for everybody.”.
“I mean, let’s face it, everybody has to cook, everyone’s got a pet, everyone needs to fix something in the house, everyone’s got a DIY project they want to do,” he says.
“And I think people are also trying to get back to that thing of watching TV together as a family, rather than just sitting there staring at an app, and this is the type of show that encourages that.”
This is indeed a family show, and Colin is affectionately known for dropping the occasional F-bomb, so will he have to modify his vocabulary for a PG audience?
“There’s no point me trying to be Fast Ed or Karen (Martini); I have to do what I do, just without the swearing,” he laughs.
“Other than that, I’m just being myself.
“I sort of slipped into the groove pretty quickly.”
Better Homes and Gardens executive producer Russell Palmer said he was excited to welcome Colin to the BHG team, saying it marked the beginning of a fresh new chapter for the show.
“He’s a talented and well-respected chef and brings his own charm and innovation, which is sure to inspire our audience,” he said.
Colin will continue to co-host Seven’s home cooking hit MKR with Manu Feildel in 2024.
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