Celebrity chef and television personality Colin Fassnidge has been seen in public for the first time since he was charged with driving under the influence of cocaine.
The Incident and Charges
The My Kitchen Rules judge, aged 52, was stopped by police for a random drug and alcohol test at approximately 3.20pm on 8 November. The incident occurred while Fassnidge was driving a grey utility vehicle along Malabar Road in South Maroubra, Sydney.
Officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command administered a test which allegedly returned a positive result for cocaine. A subsequent secondary test also reportedly indicated the presence of the illicit substance. Consequently, the Irish-born chef was formally charged with driving a vehicle while an illicit drug was present in his bloodstream.
Low-Profile Public Appearance
On Monday, Fassnidge maintained a discreet presence during a walk in Sydney with his wife, Jane Hyland. He wore a cap and sunglasses, paired with a casual outfit of a black T-shirt, shorts, and white sneakers. At one point during the outing, he was photographed appearing engrossed in a telephone conversation.
Fassnidge is scheduled to face Waverley Local Court on 28 January to answer the charge. Representatives for the chef have been contacted for comment regarding the legal proceedings.
Past Comments on Industry Pressures
The charges come years after Fassnidge spoke candidly about the immense pressures within the culinary industry. In a 2016 interview with Sunday Style, the father-of-two described the profession as a "hard life," noting its high rates of divorce, drug use, alcohol abuse, and suicide.
"Living with a chef is very hard, it's not good. We are the worst people in the world," he remarked at the time. Despite this, he revealed a pact with his wife, whom he married in 2006, to try and leave work-related drama at the kitchen door.
Fassnidge is a well-known figure on Australian television, having served as a judge on My Kitchen Rules since 2013 and appearing on Better Homes and Gardens. He previously hosted Kitchen Nightmares Australia in 2022.
