MasterChef judges Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan have slammed Sydney’s lockout laws – which were brought in to quell alcohol-fuelled violence in the city back in 2014.
The Melbourne-based duo condemned the dying out drinking scene in the Harbour City – as a direct result of the government’s move to close bars and clubs early.
‘When you’re paying $17 for a glass of wine, you’re unlikely to throw it in someone’s face,’ Matt told The Daily Telegraph.
‘When you’re paying $17 for a glass of wine, you’re unlikely to throw it in someone’s face!’ MasterChef judge Matt Preston blasted Sydney’s lockout laws
The 54-year-old food journalist added: ‘I think in 24 years of drinking in small bars in Melbourne, I have never seen a fight.’
Sydney’s lockout laws prohibit patrons from entering venues after 1.30am, while last drinks are served at 3am within the CBD.
Gary, 51, said: ‘Closing at 1am is bulls**t. There’s nothing like rocking up to a whisky bar at 1am and they’re like: “Sorry, we’re closed.”‘
‘Closing at 1am is bulls**t’: Fellow MasterChef judge Gary Mehigan (left) also took umbrage with the laws, which were brought in to quell alcohol-fuelled violence in the city back in 2014
The judges are currently finalising filming the tenth season of MasterChef, which has already started airing on Network Ten.
MasterChef itself was shot in Sydney until the fourth season back in 2013.
After the original warehouse venue was sold, the production company Shine Australia scoured for a new venue.
Cut off: Sydney’s lockout laws prohibit patrons from entering venues after 1.30am, while last drinks are served at 3am within the CBD
Controversy: Matt and Gary, who are both based in Melbourne, condemned the dying out drinking scene in the Harbour City – as a direct result of the government’s move to close bars and clubs early
TV executives settled on the ‘poultry shed’ inside Melbourne Showgrounds.
Meanwhile Gary recently admitted that he was initially hesitant about working with Matt on the show.
Speaking to Carrie Bickmore on The Project, the English-born restaurateur even revealed that he warned fellow judge George Calombaris to ‘be careful’ because he believed that Matt would be a ‘smiling assassin’ when it came to critiquing dishes.
Move to Melbourne! MasterChef was shot in Sydney until the fourth season in 2013 before it moved to the Victorian city instead
But the trio have clearly bonded throughout the experience, with Matt adding: ‘We started tasting food together and we realised it is objective. We all agreed what was good and bad.’
He added: ‘Ten years is a solid commitment.
‘At the beginning we were really reluctant to admit or give any fuel to the fact that MasterChef had really changed the landscape in any meaningful way in food, but now I’m quite the opposite.
‘I feel very confident in saying, I think it has, I think it did!’
Unsure at the start: Gary (left) recently admitted that he was initially hesitant about working with Matt (centre) on the show – and he warned fellow judge George Calombaris (right) to ‘be careful’