Where Andy Hearnden likes to eat when he’s not cooking for his six million TikTok followers

Chef Andy Hearnden, aka Andy Cooks, may have spent 20 years working in top restaurants in London, Sydney and Melbourne, but it is on social media that he’s really made an impression — or several million of them.

The New Zealand born, Sydney-based chef started posting cooking videos during the pandemic, and you could say he went viral. Current followings: TikTok @andy_cooks 6 million. Instagram @andyhearden: 4.6 million. YouTube @andy_cooks: 6.18 million subscribers.

One of Andy’s most popular TikTok videos remains the chilli oil noodles dish that garnered 50 million views as part of his Hey Babe series, where wife and recipe tester Katelyn Flood (aka ‘babe’) requests her favourite recipes.

Andy is also a guest judge on MasterChef Australia on Sunday May 3, where he will set a “Family Favourites” themed immunity challenge to see how creative the contestants can get with eggs.

Given he’s the son of a poultry farmer, Andy is keen to see what they’ll create. For the record, his go-to egg dish at home is an omelette with goat’s cheese and chives.

These opportunities are not lost on the now-global cooking superstar. “I’m pretty lucky now that this is my job, my vocation, and that I get to just continue sharing my love of food with the world”.

Here are some of his favourites.

Eating out

My favourite Sydney restaurants and cafes

Surry Hills is home to several of my favourite places to eat in Sydney. A meal at Sáng by Mabasa is like eating in a Korean household and they make really good potato dumplings and a fabulous raw wagyu dish. The coffee is amazing at Single O, and so are the eggs Benedict and ham hock. I like the paninis at Luigi Panini and I always order the mortadella and stracciatella.

I am a big fan of the simple roman pastas at Vin-Cenzo’s — it’s always the cacio e pepe for me. For a big T-bone steak to share with friends, I go to Clam Bar. I also like Pellegrino’s where I recently ordered the octopus and potatoes — delicious. I enjoy Bar Copains. I ate the most nostalgic polenta chips with aioli there. Usually I am not a fan, but they sent them out and it was a food moment that took me back to eating chip butties with family on the beach in New Zealand as a kid. They were incredible.

For takeaway, I like Appizza. It’s only recently opened in Darlinghurst, and I can thoroughly recommend the pepperoni and hot honey pizza.

My favourite Melbourne restaurants and cafes

At Cam’s Kiosk in Abbotsford they make a really good omelette — filled with ham, cheese, tomato. They also make a great beef cheek polenta.

For good old fashioned burgers, it’s Danny’s Burgers in Fitzroy North. I always order a couple of dim sims before a burger for takeaway, usually one with a fried egg on top.

If it’s after 10pm, I always order the burger at Gimlet — and make sure to give the waiter a wink when I do. I also love the gnocco fritto with parmesan cream or I go bougie with the saffron rice lobster. Also, Butcher’s Diner for a cheeky late-night burger.

I am anti hamburger-with-the-lot – beetroot and pineapple don’t belong on a burger – and my good mate chef Ben Shewry and I have many heated debates about this. Andrew’s Hamburger’s is another favourite spot to also grab a take-away.

St. Ali is one of those Melbourne institutions that always feels the same —I used to work there, it’s like putting on your favourite pair of socks. I order My Mexican Cousin poached eggs.

Some more Melbourne favourites include Serai, where they make a great bone marrow dish and kinilaw, a traditional Filipino raw fish dish.

My partner Katelyn and I love to go Kirk’s Wine Bar — she used to work there. No one does French food like the iconic France-Soir. I always order the veal chop. I also like Supper Club for a tonic water when out with friends who are drinking.

My favourite hometown restaurant (and go-to dish)

I lived on the Sunshine Coast for years. My top picks are a casual place in Maroochydore called Samila Gaeng for the best Thai food. I always order a khao soi [curry egg noodle]. I also love Umami Ramen for the best grilled pork chashu ramen.

My favourite hometown cafe and/or bar

It’s always Lamkin Lane Espresso Bar, they have a great coffee program here. I am always a double espresso kinda guy. If it’s eggs — always Benedict with ham hock.

I gave up drinking alcohol eight years ago, but when I do go to a bar it’s usually a non-alcoholic wine like NON or a soda water. You’ll find me at Dicky Surf Beach Club in Caloundra.

On the road

Favourite Food City

London.

What’s your favourite places to eat there and why?

St John’s is the original. You can’t go past bone marrow or pass the sour toast.

Mantecca in Shoreditch is another great spot for Italian cuisine. They utilise the whole animal and I always order linguine. The charcuterie program is also excellent.

Beigal Shop in Brick Lane is open 24/7 for a salt beef bagel with hot English mustard.

Akoko is a fantastic two-Michelin star West African restaurant. The team make an amazing smoky jollof rice as part of its tasting menu.

Toad Bakery in London for any of their pastries, from croissants to custard danishes and saffron teacake.

Where do you stay when you’re there and why?

I stay at Shoreditch House. It has a great common area where you can hang and do work and watch people go by.

Eating in

Signature dish and go-to at home

A seven-hour lamb shoulder with balsamic onions and lovely sides like a potato salad or roast potatoes.

Guilty pleasure

A Magnum vanilla ice-cream from the freezer section of a service station. It can also have nuts on the outside!

The kitchen wisdom I cling to

Make sure you’re ready to cook before you start cooking a meal.

Catch Andy Cooks as a guest judge on MasterChef this Sunday, 3 May at 7pm on 10 and 10Play.