Kerry Packer’s secret diet: Chef to the stars reveals late media tycoon’s eating habits and if that ‘Fanta rumour’ is true

Australian media tycoon Kerry Packer’s day on a plate has been revealed by his long-time personal chef.

Culinary expert Ryan spoke to Nova’s Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel on Tuesday and said the late billionaire had a varied taste palate and would try almost everything.

‘We got on the Bellagio jet flying to Las Vegas and I asked him what he wanted and he goes, “The most expensive thing on here”,’ Ryan began.

‘So it was Richard Hennessy cognac all the way to Vegas.’

He said Packer also had a taste for less expensive meals and was a huge fan of fast food.

‘He loved roast lamb, that was his favourite thing. He also ordered cheeseburgers from McDonald’s.’

The hosts then asked if it was true Fanta was Packer’s favourite soft drink.

 Ryan said while Packer loved it, he was unable to drink it in his latter years.

‘Yeah, I worked for him not long before he passed away, He obviously had a kidney transplant so he couldn’t drink it,’ he explained.

Culinary expert Ryan spoke to Nova’s Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel on Tuesday and said the late mogul has a varied taste palate where he would try almost everything

Packer was Australia’s richest man at the time of his death in December 2005.

The Sydney native had a legendary career dominating the Australia media, owning the Nine TV network and ACP magazines after taking charge of the family firm PBL in 1974.

By the time of his death aged 68 in 2005, Nine was the number one channel in Australia and magazine sales were still strong before his son James sold off the media empire to move into gambling through Crown Casinos.

He was survived by his wife Roslyn and children Gretel and James. 

He then said Packer also had a taste for less expensive meals and was a huge fan of fast food

The Sydney native had a legendary career dominating the Australia media, owning the Nine TV network and ACP magazines after taking charge of the family firm PBL in 1974