Pete Evans and Manu Feildel

Sydney Fish Market sure can get on the nose – especially in the sweltering heat of a mid-summer day. However, we found there’s nothing quite as overpowering as the charms of My Kitchen Rules’ hosts and judges, celebrity chefs Pete Evans and Manu Feildel.

With little effort, both had all onboard the photo shoot reeled in, and passers-by were also enraptured with the French funnyman and his Aussie pal, as they hammed it up for the camera.

‘We’ve been friends for over 10 years,’ Manu, 37, tells of their friendship, which was established after the Frenchman slipped his résumé under Pete’s restaurant door not long after arriving in Australia.

There’s no question that the guys work well together. They’ve been on the road with each other for the past four months and are still smiling, and their bond is no doubt a big draw to those tuning in to watch their hit home-cooking show.

Speaking of the show, Pete, 37, says it’s ‘bigger and better’ the second time around. ‘The first season was really successful. We had some pretty big competition out there, but I believe that this season is much stronger. I think that it’s going to be a real big hit with what we’ve got in store.’ Manu, not to be left out, nods in agreement before adding a touch of his own cheeky flavour: ‘We’re better!’

However, despite long days together, the busy restaurateurs – Pete, who’s responsible for the Hugos empire, and Manu, who co-owns French nosh spot L’etoile in Sydney’s Paddington – say they never tire of each other.

‘Not even when I get stuck as the photographer when we’re out together,’ jokes Pete, who has become accustomed to his pal’s newly acquired pin-up status that is set to skyrocket if Manu joins the Australian version of Dancing with the Stars – ‘I’m still thinking about it,’ he reveals.

In fact, between checking out the market’s finest produce and talking about past and present contestants of My Kitchen Rules, the two chefs were deep in discussion about a family trip they are planning on taking together – Pete is also dad to two little girls, Chilli, five, and Indii, four, while Manu has a six-year-old son named Jonti.

Sorry ladies, we didn’t quite catch where they’ll be heading, but OK! did manage to wrangle a few other tales out of the dishy duo…

Pete, what did you think of Manu when you first met him?
He slid his résumé under my door at Hugos at Bondi and it read like a dream. He’d had French training, worked in London – he ticked all the right boxes. Then when we met, I think that he got the job that day, and we’ve been friends ever since.

How would you define your friendship – does Pete still think he’s the boss, Manu?
He’s always at work. He doesn’t know the difference.
Pete: With My Kitchen Rules, I even look at it like my business. I can’t just be presenter and judge, I have to know what’s going on everywhere and I need to contribute. That’s my nature. I can’t switch off.

What’s life like on the road when you travel together for the show?
Manu: The travelling is fantastic.
Pete: It’s a pretty tight schedule, but Manu and I tried to get out for lunch as much as we could in each town.
Manu: We have the best job in the world.