Meet the wife of MKR judge Manu Feildel | New Idea
In a charming tale of love, renowned chef Manu Feildel met his future wife, Clarissa Weerasena, at a Sydney nightclub in 2011, unaware of his fame. Despite initially not recognizing him, their connection deepened over shared culinary interests. The couple married in January 2018 after a four-year engagement, emphasizing that their shared passion for cooking has strengthened their bond. Manu revealed that Clarissa does most of the cooking, highlighting the joy they find in preparing meals together.
Manu Feildel, the beloved judge from My Kitchen Rules, recently reflected on his romantic journey with wife Clarissa Weerasena, revealing the unique beginnings of their relationship and the ingredients that have fueled their love over the years.
A Surprising First Encounter at Ivy Nightclub
In a memorable incident from 2011 at Sydney's iconic Ivy nightclub, Manu Feildel first met his future wife, Clarissa Weerasena. Surprisingly, Clarissa was unaware of Manu's celebrity status at that time. In an interview with The Australian Women's Weekly from 2016, she recounted that Manu approached her, claiming her friend said she could cook better than him, to which she confidently responded, probably can. This initial interaction left her questioning who he was.
The Beginning of a Beautiful Relationship
Manu later shared his own perspective of their fateful encounter, revealing they met in a lift destined for the nightclub. Not seeing each other for another three months after their first meeting, they eventually shared a drink, another three months passed, and they enjoyed lunch together, marking the start of a deepening connection. Manu expressed his joy at having found someone who matched his passion for food, stating that Clarissa ticked all the boxes for him.
Growing Closer Over Shared Culinary Passions
As the couple's romance blossomed, Manu recognized Clarissa's culinary talents as a significant factor in their compatibility. In his words, he felt fortunate that she not only loved eating but also enjoyed cooking, which he deemed perfect for their relationship. Their love story took a significant step forward when Manu proposed in 2013, less than two years after their first meeting.
A Joyful Family and a Beautiful Wedding
In 2015, Manu and Clarissa welcomed their daughter, Charlee, into their family. Additionally, Manu has a son, Jonti, from his previous relationship with Ronnie Morshead, which lasted 12 years. The couple celebrated their union in January 2018 with a beautiful intimate ceremony after a four-year engagement, with Manu joyfully announcing their marriage on his Instagram, confirming the happy occasion surrounded by loved ones.
The Foundations of Lasting Love
Reflecting on their four years of marriage, Manu shared insights about their enduring love with Now to Love, emphasizing that cooking remains a vital element in their relationship. He humorously noted that even their vacations are centered around finding good restaurants, while also revealing Clarissa handles about 70% of the cooking at home. He highlighted the importance of cherishing their time together and the necessity of not taking each other for granted over the years.
