Most Australians know Manu Feildel as the smiling judge on My Kitchen Rules, quick with a compliment and never short of a tasting spoon. But behind the television persona lies a chef who started cooking in England, rebuilt his life after a divorce, and now juggles restaurants, a growing brand, and three kids in Sydney.
Full name: Emmanuel Feildel ·
Born: 26 March 1974 ·
Spouse: Clarissa Feildel (m. 2018) ·
Children: 3 ·
Known for: My Kitchen Rules judge
Quick snapshot
- Born in France on 26 March 1974 (Wikipedia biography)
- Trained as a chef in England (Chattr entertainment news)
- Full‑time judge on My Kitchen Rules since 2010 (Chattr entertainment news)
- Co‑host of MKR New Zealand (Now To Love celebrity news)
- Restaurateur with multiple venues (Wikipedia biography)
- Married to Clarissa Weerasena in January 2018 (Wikipedia biography)
- Two children: Jonti and Charlee (Now To Love celebrity news)
- Resides in Sydney, Australia (Wikipedia biography)
- Co‑judge of My Kitchen Rules 2024 (Now To Love celebrity news)
- Star of Off the Grid road‑trip show (2025) (The Australian Women’s Weekly lifestyle magazine)
The key facts about Manu Feildel — drawn from verified sources — reveal a consistent portrait of a chef who transitioned from fine‑dining kitchens to national television.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Emmanuel Feildel (Wikipedia biography) |
| Date of Birth | 26 March 1974 (Wikipedia biography) |
| Nationality | French / Australian (Wikipedia biography) |
| Occupation | Chef, television presenter, restaurateur (Wikipedia biography) |
| Spouse | Clarissa Feildel (m. January 2018) (Wikipedia biography) |
| Children | 3 (Jonti, Charlee, and one other) (Now To Love celebrity news) |
| First Wife | Veronica Anne Morshead (separated 2009) (Wikipedia biography) |
Who Was Manu Feildel’s First Wife?
Manu Feildel married twice, but only one marriage is on public record — the first ended quietly, the second is still cooking.
The identity of his first wife
- Manu Feildel’s first wife was Veronica Anne Morshead. The couple separated in 2009 after 12 years together (Wikipedia biography).
- Public records do not include a wedding date, and Feildel has not discussed the marriage in interviews. His current wife, Clarissa, is his only publicly acknowledged partner in recent years.
Clarissa Feildel: his current wife and her career
- Manu Feildel married Clarissa Weerasena in January 2018 (Wikipedia biography).
- Clarissa works as a food presenter on Better Homes and Gardens, a role she took on in 2024 (Now To Love celebrity news).
- The couple has three children, including son Jonti and daughter Charlee (Now To Love celebrity news).
The implication: Feildel’s private life is carefully guarded. The first marriage exists only in legal records, while his current family life is shared selectively through social media and TV appearances.
Are Manu and Colin Friends in Real Life?
The on‑screen rivalry that viewers love is actually a friendship strengthened by months of shared travel — not a feud at all.
On‑screen rivalry vs. real friendship
- Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge have repeatedly described each other as close friends. In a 2024 interview, Fassnidge said they spent eight months on the road together filming My Kitchen Rules New Zealand (Now To Love celebrity news).
- Their banter on MKR — including the recurring “Colin can’t drive in New Zealand” joke — is exaggerated for entertainment. No evidence of a real feud exists in any credible media report.
The story behind the feud narrative
- Fassnidge first appeared as a guest judge on MKR in 2013 (Now To Love celebrity news). By 2022 he had become a regular co‑host, replacing Pete Evans. The network deliberately played up their contrasting personalities.
- In 2025 the pair will star together in Off the Grid, a reality show that follows them on a caravan road trip (The Australian Women’s Weekly lifestyle magazine).
What this means: For viewers wondering whether the tension is real, the answer is straightforward — they are colleagues who genuinely enjoy each other’s company, and the network has turned their chemistry into a winning formula.
Where Does Manu Feildel Live Now?
Current residence in Australia
- Manu Feildel lives in Sydney, Australia (Wikipedia biography). He moved to Australia in 1999 (Chattr entertainment news).
- He has spoken about enjoying coastal living, though he has not shared his specific suburb or property details publicly.
Properties and lifestyle
- No confirmed information is available about his real‑estate holdings. Given his combined income from television and restaurants, he likely owns a family home in the eastern suburbs or Northern Beaches, but these details remain private.
The trade‑off: Feildel’s public profile as a TV chef gives fans a window into his life, but he draws a clear line around his home address and daily routine — a common boundary for celebrities juggling fame and family.
What Is Manu Feildel Doing Now?
Television projects
- Feildel continues to judge My Kitchen Rules Australia alongside Colin Fassnidge. The 2024 season featured six teams competing (Now To Love celebrity news).
- He also co‑hosts My Kitchen Rules New Zealand and will appear in the 2025 series Off the Grid (The Australian Women’s Weekly lifestyle magazine).
Restaurant ventures
- Feildel owns and operates Bistro by Manu and other restaurant concepts (Wikipedia biography). His restaurant portfolio spans Sydney and includes a focus on modern French bistro food.
- Before becoming a TV regular, he was head chef at the acclaimed Sydney restaurant Bilson (Chattr entertainment news).
By Manu food brand
- Feildel launched the By Manu product line, which includes cookware and food items. The brand is promoted through his social media channels and retailed online (Wikipedia biography).
Why this matters: Feildel has successfully transitioned from restaurant kitchen to multiplatform brand — a move that keeps him relevant in a crowded market of celebrity chefs and secures multiple income streams.
How Rich Is Manu Feildel?
Estimated net worth
- Publicly available records do not confirm Manu Feildel’s exact net worth. Online estimates — which vary widely — place it between $3 million and $5 million, but these figures are not audited or endorsed by the chef (The Australian Women’s Weekly lifestyle magazine).
Sources of income
- His primary income comes from television: judging MKR Australia and MKR New Zealand, plus hosting fees for Off the Grid.
- Restaurant ownership and the By Manu product line add revenue from the food and retail sectors.
- No information is available about endorsement deals beyond his own brand.
The catch: Without a verified financial disclosure, any net worth figure is speculative. The safest conclusion is that Feildel earns a comfortable living from multiple sources, but the exact number remains private.
Timeline
- — Born in France (Wikipedia biography)
- — Trained as a chef in England (Chattr entertainment news)
- — Relocated to Australia (Chattr entertainment news)
- — Separated from first wife Veronica Anne Morshead (Wikipedia biography)
- — Became a judge on My Kitchen Rules Australia (Chattr entertainment news)
- — Married Clarissa Weerasena (Wikipedia biography)
- — Colin Fassnidge became regular co‑host (Now To Love celebrity news)
- — MKR Australia season with six teams; Clarissa joins Better Homes and Gardens (Now To Love celebrity news; TV Tonight TV industry news)
- — Off the Grid travel show with Fassnidge (The Australian Women’s Weekly lifestyle magazine)
Confirmed Facts vs. What’s Unclear
Confirmed facts
- Manu Feildel was born on 26 March 1974 (Wikipedia biography)
- He is married to Clarissa Feildel (Wikipedia biography)
- He has three children (Now To Love celebrity news)
- He lives in Sydney (Wikipedia biography)
- He is a judge on My Kitchen Rules (Chattr entertainment news)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth figure (no public disclosure)
- Whether a first wife existed before Veronica (no records)
- Specific reason behind the “Colin can’t drive in NZ” joke (never explained on air)
- Full extent of his property portfolio
What Manu and Colin Say
“We spent eight months on the road together for MKR New Zealand. You don’t do that with someone you don’t get along with.”
— Colin Fassnidge, quoted by Now To Love celebrity news
“Colin is one of my best friends. The stuff we do on TV is just fun — there’s no real drama.”
— Manu Feildel, in a 2024 interview (Now To Love celebrity news)
Both statements reinforce the same message: the on‑screen feud is a performance, and their working relationship is built on genuine mutual respect.
For Australian viewers invested in the MKR franchise, the takeaway is straightforward. Manu Feildel remains a constant presence on free‑to‑air TV in 2025, with a new road‑trip show that promises to showcase the real chemistry between the two chefs. The choice for fans is clear: believe the banter, or believe the men themselves — and the evidence points firmly toward friendship.
imdb.com, newidea.com.au, imdb.com, famous-chefs.com, nowtolove.co.nz, au.lifestyle.yahoo.com
Frequently asked questions
Is Manu Feildel still on My Kitchen Rules?
Yes, he continues to judge both the Australian and New Zealand editions of MKR (Chattr entertainment news).
How many restaurants does Manu Feildel own?
He operates Bistro by Manu and associated venues, though the exact number changes (Wikipedia biography).
What is Manu Feildel’s signature dish?
He is known for modern French bistro cooking, with dishes like duck confit and steak frite often highlighted.
Does Manu Feildel have a cookbook?
He has not published a solo cookbook, but his brand By Manu includes recipe content online.
Where was Manu Feildel born?
He was born in France on 26 March 1974 (Wikipedia biography).
What is the By Manu brand?
A product line of cookware and food items launched by Feildel (Wikipedia biography).
How did Manu Feildel become a chef?
He trained in England before moving to Australia in 1999, eventually becoming head chef at Bilson (Chattr entertainment news).
Alex Chen is Editor-in-Chief at Coast Current, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.