15 minutes with Dishing It Up home cooks Fiona and Jeremy

Childhood sweethearts Fiona Ly and Jeremy Zhu bring their love of food and a unique Asian-Australian perspective to the kitchen.

Fiona Ly and Jeremy Zhu

Fiona Ly and Jeremy Zhu cooking on Dishing it Up. Source: SBS Food

-- Cook along with your favourite TV chefs in Dishing It Up 7:30pm Thursdays from 29 September on SBS and SBS Food. All episodes streaming free . For recipes and more head to . --- 

 

Tell us about yourselves.

Fiona: We don't advertise this very often, but we're childhood sweethearts. Despite being together since high school, we're polar opposites, but somehow find each other at the same destination. 

I am emotional and intuitive in life, while Jeremy is practical and analytical. In the kitchen, it's the opposite. I love following recipes to a T, while Jeremy is more creative and likes to guesstimate everything. 

Currently, we have our hands full with our new baby girl, Mia, and our adopted red cattle dog, Kobo.
What is one fun fact about yourself?

Jeremy: When we first met, Fiona was a whizz in the kitchen. She cooked for the family and hosted dining experiences for friends. Whereas, I only knew how to boil chicken wings. 

Once we married, I became the home cook and Fiona promoted herself to chief taste tester. It's safe to say that we're both adequate cooks now. 

What do you like or dislike about cooking?

Fiona: Food is part of my love language. Cooking someone a meal or hosting people shows them how much you care. I hate cooking every day but enjoy telling Jeremy what to make.

Jeremy: What she said… I hate when Fiona hosts because I must cook. At the same time, I love being in the kitchen and transforming simple ingredients into a memorable meal for our friends and family. Quietly, everyone knows the biggest upside to cooking is not doing the dishes after the guests leave.
Fiona Ly and Jeremy Zhu
Fiona Ly and Jeremy Zhu are high-school sweethearts. Source: Supplied
What was your favourite moment from the series?

Jeremy: Calling Fiona's mum in the middle of filming to understand what the correct vermicelli noodle is for a dish. Then, being told what the right noodle should be for every dish. 

What was your funniest memory from the series?

Fiona: This is a dead tie between (almost) burning down the house and MacGyvering "Cornelius" the popcorn maker to melt chocolate for a Rachel Khoo dessert. 

What was your favourite dish from the series?

Fiona: Sticky toffee pudding from Matty Matheson.

Jeremy: Strangely enough, . Who knew something healthy could taste that good? 

If you could have any celebrity chef cook for you, who would you choose?

Jeremy: Anthony Bourdain was hands down the only person either of us wanted to meet. Any food would have been an ideal complement to his stories. 

What is your desert island dish?

Fiona: Grilled pork noodle bowl.

Jeremy: Any chicken soup; I love them all.

 

Love the story? Follow the author Melissa Woodley here: Instagram .

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SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only. Read more about SBS Food
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SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only.
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3 min read
Published 23 September 2022 10:37am
Updated 26 September 2022 9:54am
By Melissa Woodley


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