Best mates Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge are putting their friendship to the test by travelling around New Zealand for a new series, Off the Grid.
The series follows My Kitchen Rules buddies, Manu and Colin as they adventure through the North and South Island in a small vintage caravan.
The idea for the series came when the pair were filming MKR New Zealand, then Manu spotted the caravan in someone’s backyard.
“Colin and I looked at each other, and I said ‘it would be so cool to travel around the country in the car’. So we took a photo and sent it to the executive producer. A year later, we were on the road,” Manu told The Weekly.
“[Off the Grid] is a dream for any chef, to travel the country looking for food, hunting, fishing, gathering, and cooking for each other. New Zealand is just so beautiful.”
But a month on the road isn’t all sunshine and rainbows!
During an interview with The Weekly, Manu joked about the well-needed separation from Colin after spending day and night together.
“We’re like an old couple, love each other but keep arguing about everything,” he joked.
“Especially when it comes to cooking! We have a lot in common, but there’s one thing we don’t have in common [and that] is I’m very clean and organised, and he is the complete opposite.
“Towards the end he was like ‘I’ve just had enough of you mate. I can’t wait to get back home and not see you for a couple of weeks,” he laughed.
Colin and Manu found countless hidden gems on their travels. But one of the French chefs’ favourite experiences was visiting the world’s highest whiskey bar.
Named the Bad Decision Hut located in the South Island is quite literally a hut at Glenmore Station, accessible by helicopter.
When reflecting on his travels, Manu gushed over the food, people, and even the pies!
But there is so much we haven’t yet seen. In the trailer alone, we see Manu skinny dipping in freezing cold water after losing a bet, and even getting a traditional Maori tattoo – which was very “painful.”
“I think that you’re just going to see a very different Colin and Manu from My Kitchen Rules,” he revealed. “It’s the real us, the rough and rugged up. Everyone is going to kill themselves laughing!”
And if you can’t get enough of Colin and Manu in Off the Grid, well we have some good news. Their chaos and mayhem will return as they set off for a second season of Off the Grid.
Manu revealed a second season will be filmed sporadically from November to January 2026.
When does Off the Grid premiere in Australia?
After premiering in New Zealand first, and becoming a huge hit, Off the Grid is now coming to Australian screens.
Off the Grid will be released on Channel Seven and 7Plus on Wednesday September 24 at 9:15pm.
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