Jamie Fleming dishes on his MasterChef Australia return and favourite local haunts
Jamie Fleming made his first appearance on our television screens back in 2014, when the Adelaide-born lad appeared as a contestant on the sixth season of MasterChef Australia. His fourth-place finish catapulted him into the food and alcohol industry, where he spent time as an ambassador for Diageo before landing in Brisbane and opening his widely acclaimed (and now sorely missed) Burnett Lane haunt, Alba Bar & Deli. These days, Jamie runs hinterland gem Spill Wine alongside his partner Clare, but right now Jamie is back on our television screens, participating in MasterChef Australia: Back to Win. With the season reaching boiling point, we reached out to Jamie to see how his return to the MasterChef pressure cooker has been, as well as his favourite spots to drink and dine in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Thanks for chatting to us, Jamie! To start, we’d love to chat about your return to the MasterChef Australia kitchen. It had been a hot minute since you were last in the MasterChef pressure cooker – how did it feel when you first stepped back into the arena for this current season?
It was pretty insane walking back into the kitchen. Obviously seeing Gordon Ramsay there was wild but, realistically, there was more awe from my perspective – of just time travelling back to over a decade ago to my original season. The same floors, the same lights, the same equipment shelves. It was pretty intense. I definitely came back ready to fight for the title though.
What would you say is the biggest difference between Jamie Fleming of Season 6 and Jamie Fleming of Season 17? Where do you think you’ve grown or evolved the most as a cook?
I think the biggest thing is just maturity. Staying calmer under pressure and being a little kinder to myself (although this wasn’t always the case). Overall, just a more level head. I think I also had a chip on my shoulder the first time around and I was trying to prove my worth to others. I think this time I was a little more introspective – I was there to grow and find my stride again.
What would you say has been the most rewarding part of being on this season of MasterChef Australia?
Definitely meeting the people. Reconnecting with some old friends and developing some new connections was wild. [MasterChef Australia] is such an incredible experience to be a part of and is an immediate bonding exercise for everyone involved. It was a great thing to be part of again and feel that camaraderie once more.
You’re well known to a lot of foodies thanks to your venues Alba Bar & Deli (we still miss the croquetas) and Spill Wine. How would you describe your personal approach to hospitality?
My personal approach is all about making things accessible. Wine and cocktails are just drinks. Food is just food. I feel like sometimes we build things up so much and have created entire jobs around making food or drink elitist in some way. It just isn’t. For me, it’s an opportunity to start a conversation – to meet someone new or learn something you didn’t know about culture or the like. When it comes down to it, I put stuff on a plate or in a cup for a living. I love it because I get to meet and take care of people.
We’d love to know about the places you like to visit when you’re back in Southeast Queensland. Can you fill us in on some of the venues (in Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast or the Gold Coast) that you like to go to when you’re in the mood for …
1. a killer cocktail or wine (or two)?
Rosella’s in Burleigh Heads for a cocktail is always a favourite. If we are in Brisbane, La Lune Wine Co – snack, drink and be merry. And probably Frog’s Hollow Saloon for a nightcap cocktail … or three.
2. … a light bite (something to whet the appetite when you’re feeling peckish)?
Milquetoast for sure. Independent venues for the win. Plus, the drinks and wine list are great.
3. … a fancy feed (restaurants that you know are going to deliver)?
1889 Enoteca or La Cache a Vin. Classics are classics for a reason – I want lots of flavour in my food and lots of intervention in my wine, haha!
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4. … a group dinner (cheap and cheerful for a crew, or a big blow-out celebration)?
Happy Boy, for sure. It’s always yummy and the wine is way too cheap. Perfect combo overall.
Are there any Southeast Queensland chefs who you’d love to see sweat through a stint in the MasterChef Australia kitchen?
Ollie Hansford – only because I know he’s been watching, haha!
MasterChef Australia: Back to Win is on now. Watch and stream for free on Sundays at 7:00 pm, and Mondays and Tuesdays at 7:30 pm on 10 and 10 Play.