By Katherine Field of AAP
My Kitchen Rules judge Manu Feildel knows his new cooking program will draw comparisons to hit show MasterChef.
But with teams of two cooking in their own kitchens in different states around the country, the latest amateur cooking contest has a very different feel, says the French chef.
"Obviously there's a little bit of similarity in that they are amateur cooks but the difference is we don't give them challenges," Feildel told AAP on Tuesday.
"They cook what they know and they cook with their heart.
"I'm sure everyone thinks it's going to be a similar show but it's really very different."
Feildel joins fellow chef Pete Evans judging five pairs from Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane in the Seven Network show, which will air from early February.
In each episode, contestants, ranging from young male friends, flatmates, husband and wife teams and sisters, must cook for about 10 people.
The best teams go to the final where they compete in a custom-designed restaurant for an ultimate prize of $100,000.
Feildel, the owner of Sydney restaurant Manu at L'Etoile, said he was impressed with the calibre of contestants on the program, which has already been filmed.
"I just wanted to be wowed by some cooking. Not necessarily fine dining, but good techniques, just a good meal," he said.
"Some stood out more than others, but they worked very hard, they're passionate about food."
Feildel was also delighted to be paired up with Evans, who gave him his first job in Sydney nine years ago.
"There are times when we have to make tough decisions," he said.
"But there's no good cop bad cop here, we just say what we think."
Feildel is no stranger to television, being a regular on Network Ten's Ready Steady Cook, and a guest on MasterChef Australia last year.
But he admits there's pressure to succeed with his show, following the huge popularity of MasterChef which was watched by millions during its first season in 2009.
Nevertheless, he's confident in My Kitchen Rules.
"We can't be sure for sure, but I'm sure it's going to work very well, because it's just about normal people at home and everybody's going to be able to relate to that," Feildel said.
© 2010 AAP