My Kitchen Rules’ Miners: ‘We’re never going back'

Who says a couple of blokes who spend their days toiling at the mines can’t whip up a brilliant osso buco or a lavish linguine carbonara? Buff, playful housemates and best friends Alex Ebert and Gareth Cochran, both 25, might not seem like the ones you would tip to win it all on this season of My Kitchen Rules, but they have one message for any viewers with doubts: don’t count us out.

“We know we’re never going to head back to the mines,” says Cochran. “We want to chase the food dream.” Indeed, as the boys swore more than once on last night’s Instant Restaurant episode, they are keen to make a go of their real passion, which was forged for one very specific reason. “It eventually came down to girls,” he admits. “Realising we didn’t have a heap of [other] talent, we had to use cooking to win them over!”

Alex Ebert and Gareth Cochran. Photo: Supplied

It worked—he has been with his girlfriend Hannah, who initially encouraged the boys to try out for MKR—“for a few years now.” And while last night’s underseasoned, Asian-tinged menu didn’t quite hit the spot, their odd-couple chemistry and determination to move on from the mines have still inspired curiosity.

So how can they improve their standing in the coming weeks? “I’m mad for some meat challenges,” laughs Alex. “And here’s a hint: keep an eye out for improvements from our desserts.” Adds Gareth, “Not we’ve learnt a few things, we’re not going to hold back at all the next time we cook.”

For more on this, pick up the latest issue of WHO.