India, Sept. 20 -- Maggie Beer did not let a lack of formal training come in the way of her metamorphosising into a legendary cook and author. Whenever she makes an appearance as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia it tends to create a lot of excitement among the contestants as they realise that they would be mentored by one of the country's most cherished and respected chefs.

Beer's career extends over five decades and she has been a part of the the much-loved show since the very beginning. She worked at a Scottish sailing school during a European trip in her early twenties where she says, "I used the entire larder for the four-month season in eight weeks because I am a very generous cook and that's the only way I know how to do it." ...