Last night’s MKR Grand Final had us at the end of our couch squeezing the TV remote, but ultimately it was Prabha and Radha who claimed the $100,000 prize money.
But what happens to the My Kitchen Rules runners-up now?
New Idea sat down with dark horses Nick and Christian who exclusively told us their legacy won’t stop at second place, just like “Shannon Noel [or Poh from Masterchef!]”
WATCH NOW: MKR judge Colin Fassnidge defends 2023 winners Prabha and Radha. Article continues after video.
To set the scene, it was very intense at MKR HQ as they battled it out for glory until Nick’s mum tried to set her son up with fellow contestant Rachel!
Looking back, Nick laughs “Yeah she’s a proper Greek mum.”
The two best friends actually met coincidentally when Nick needed a place to stay after a bad breakup, and Christian just happened to have a spare room he was renting out!
Bonding over their love of meat which joined their families, “It was absolutely incredible to have our mums and our families up there on the balcony supporting us.”
Christian tried to recreate the welcoming feeling Nick’s Greek family gives on the plate, explaining how in their eyes, “Zeus is the God of hospitality.”
You can see how much they want to make their mums proud as they “concentrated the most [out of] the whole season.”
And make their mums proud they did, as even though they didn’t win the prize money, what they did win on My Kitchen Rules is not something that’s measured by wealth… but by heart.
You see, Nick’s brother is autistic and would never try food outside of his comfort zone like seafood. However after he watched his two idols cook as the crowd cheers them on, he actually ate seafood for the first time at MKR HQ!
“My mom can go out to dinner with him now as he just loves to try new things and even wants to cook,” his proud big brother beamed.
Plus they even walked away with priceless advice from MKR judges Colin, Manu, and Nigella which will stay with them forever.
From “Tasting EVERYTHING, to texture, balance, presentation and most importantly believe in yourself,” which the boys explained they struggled with the most in the kitchen.
This guidance ultimately saved the duo when they tasted their Kangaroo Tartare “over 30 times!” (Looking back they noted how lucky that tactic was, considering they cooked for French chef Manu, where Tartare first became popular.)
RELATED || MKR 2023 episode one recipe: Tommy and Rachel’s crispy duck leg
Describing how “nerve-wracking” it was to put a plate in front of the judges, as “they’re so stone-faced like you try and get a little read on it, but you can’t.”
However, as we know readers, the judges are the biggest sweethearts as they “remind us what we are capable of and that we just need to believe in ourselves.” (As mentioned above!)
What’s next for the Kings Of Protein? Nick and Christian are planning to open a restaurant in the future and in the meantime, hopefully cook for Gordon Ramsay!
“We deal with Colin yelling at us every other day. So what what’s another great chef yelling,” the two best friends finished with a laugh.
RELATED || Colin Fassnidge opens up about his friendship with Jock Zonfrillo
