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    Celebrity chef Gary Mehigan does not want to lock away his money or stash it in the bank

    Synopsis

    He is a keen motorcycle enthusiast who reveals that he’s also just taken up flying lessons.

    ET Bureau
    Celebrity chef Gary Mehigan on his passion for the south of France and why he’s going to continue with his expensive flying lessons.

    Gary Mehigan calls himself the “boring one” between the three Masterchef Australia judges (and no, he would never wear a cravat). But, he seems far from that — the television celebrity chef and restaurateur is a keen motorcycle enthusiast who reveals that he’s also just taken up flying lessons.

    Describe yourself in three words.
    Happy, honest and easily excitable.

    What is your idea of luxury?
    Time is the ultimate luxury. We often forget that as we get caught up in possessions, dresses, cars and holidays.

    What has been your most luxurious experience to date?
    I love France. My parents and in-laws live in the UK, so we meet every other year or so in southwest France. It’s something I would never have imagined 10-15 years ago. I am 50 and have a little bit of money but I don’t want to lock it away or put it in a bank. I want to enjoy it. Going to France, often for more than a month at a time, is the most beautiful thing I have done in the last few years.

    You love motorcycles, how many do you have currently?


    Have you built the café racer that you always wanted to? I have three currently: A Triumph Thruxton, a retro R90 BMW, and a race bike BMW S1000. As for the café racer – it’s not going to happen. I don’t have the time for it. But I do have a friend who builds his own bikes and he thinks I am a cheat because I just go out and buy the finished product. But his bike is always breaking down (laughs).

    Do you plan on adding more to the collection?
    I don’t think my wife would let me. I don’t have a “dream bike” and I am happy with my collection. I use them for different reasons — riding through the forest or on the track. Each of the bikes, on their own, aren’t expensive. I mean, I don’t need a Ferrari or a Lamborghini — I go to the market on my motorbike. Plus I miss all the traffic.

    Image article boday


    Do you still have a passion for collecting watches?
    I am not so obsessed anymore. I went through a phase thinking, ‘Wow they are amazing’ but I am out of that now. While I do wear watches for practical reasons, I am not too into them now. After I turned 50 (it’s not a mid-life crisis) I guess I am just not fussed about these things any more.

    If you had a superpower, what would it be?
    I would like to fly. It would save me time and I could be on my own. In fact, I’ve also just started to learn to fly — I’ve done three lessons so far and need to decide whether I want to continue. It’s expensive but I do enjoy it.

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    (Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2024 Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.)

    Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online.

    ...more
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