Tassie Dishwasher Takes UK Chef’s Crown

For a tiny population Tasmania is punching well above its weight.

With ex-real estate agent Mary Donaldson, now Crown Princess Mary who will one day rule Denmark, Ricky Ponting dominating the cricket, fashion queen Allannah Hill and the never to be forgotten Hollywood star Errol Flynn, comes the  Tasmanian born chef Ash Mair who has picked up the gong in the UK as Britain's Masterchef in the hugely popular TV series.

In  MasterChef: The Professionals Mair whipped up a three-course meal for judges Michel Roux Junior and Gregg Wallace. The menu included a starter of monkfish tail, a main course of lamb and a Spanish bread-and-butter pudding.

Michel Roux called Mair “a supreme talent” while Wallace said he had “given me some of the best food I have ever tasted.”

Ash Mair began his career as a dishwasher at the Cucina Simpatica in Launceston Tasmania and graduated to the 5 star Westbury Hotel in London where he now lives via several eateries in Spain and France.

Currently he caters for events and travels and writes about food. Amongst his private clients -Sir Phillip Green, Sir Elton John and the British Royal Family

Harry Potter Down Under

It's about as far from the madding crowd as one can get. Antarctica is the next stop.

Symmons Plains

JK Rowling

The Apple Isle,Tasmania is one of the most pleasant parts of Australia with a glorious country-side that is reminiscent of the green pastures of rural Britain. And the climate is far better. Glorious summers followed by  snowy winters with piercing blue skies.

Woman's Day, the glossy of repute reports that J.K.Rowling,  the most successful author of the last 100 years with the Harry Potter books and films has purchased Symmons Plains, a mansion that comes with a 865 hectare farm. Apparently she has bought several properties on the island. Other media reports question whether the sale actually happened but Woman's Day insists the tale is true.

'In Like Flynn'

Others who have sought the solace of Tasmania include the late MI5 officer Peter Wright,  former Sydney Morning Herald scribe Leo Schofield and the former UN weapons inspector Richard Butler who once had a contract put on his head by Saddam Hussein.

Tasmanians who have left for the wider world to achieve success and fame : The Mentalist's Simon Baker, Greens leader and possibly one of the most powerful men in Federal Parliament Bob Brown, Mary Donaldson now in line to become the next Queen of Denmark, composer Peter Sculthorpe, cricketer Ricky Ponting and our favourite swashbuckling actor, Errol Flynn.

just don't mention the cricket

Grant Dwyer & Rachel Finch

It's almost like a national shaming as the head of cricketer Ricky Ponting is demanded over the Ashes loss but one Aussie beat the UK in one respect. Rachel Finch may have come fourth in the Miss Universe contest with the 18 year old Stefania Fernandez from Venezuela carrying off the crown, but she did come in ahead of the UK entrant. But there should be no disappointment for Rachel. Coming in the magic 5 top numbers means she can look forward to an amazing amount of money-spinning endorsements according to manager and model agent Grant Dwyer. Dwyer is already fielding a staggering $10M in offers within just a few hours following the decision.