
The Dom Harvey Podcast Simon Gault on Losing 32kg, MasterChef, and NZ School Lunch "Rubbish"
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Jan 18, 2026 Simon Gault, celebrity chef, entrepreneur and pilot who judged MasterChef NZ and rebuilt his health after type 2 diabetes. He shares stories from high-pressure kitchens and cooking for famous people. He talks about losing 32kg, time-restricted eating and public nutrition work. He reflects on fatherhood, grieving his dad and why school lunches need an overhaul.
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Leaving Restaurants Let Him Be Present As A Dad
- Stepping away from restaurants allowed Simon to prioritise fatherhood and regain control of time and wellbeing.
- After selling or leaving businesses he regained daily routines that let him be present for his daughter Hazel.
Tony Astle's Tough Mentorship Shaped Simon
- Simon began as a 16-year-old dishwasher under Tony Astle, who trained him ruthlessly but like family and taught perfectionism.
- He recalls thrown steaks, haircuts from Beth, and Christmases spent together—formative mentorship.
Send The Chef To Apologise For Bad Meals
- When a restaurant makes a mistake, have the responsible chef meet the table and own it to repair reputation.
- Simon says chef apologies and immediate solutions turn bad experiences into better stories.

