CONVERSATION WITH CELEBRITY CHEF
Miguel Maestre
By Melissa Walsh
M
iguel Maestre is a chef, restaurateur, author and television presenter, best known for presenting TV programmes such as Miguel's Feast, Miguel's Tropical Kitchen and Boys Weekend, and co-hosting the lifestyle television series The Living Room. The celebrity chef and Spaniard, who started out at 21 when he moved to Scotland
1
to experience the world, made his name in Sydney working his way up through the ranks. Miguel’s passion for food and life is infectious, and he has developed a talent for incorporating Spanish ingredients and cooking styles into his modern Australian menus. He talks to Peninsula Essence about life, his family and a love of cooking that spans decades.
1. When did you decide you wanted to be a chef?
Pretty early on, because I’m not good at anything else. I decided to channel all my energy into cooking when I was young, around 18 or 19. I worked my way through kitchens in the UK, which was hard when I could speak very little English.
2
2. Did you grow up around food and cooking? Did you have any mentors, or family that inspired you?
My parents have always been very influential in my life. My mum was one of 20 children. They were successful farmers in southern Spain so I grew up around food. It was an amazing environment full of healthy, delicious food. I always knew where food came from at an early age which is important. They mentored me to not just be a good cook, but to be a good person too. I’ve also been very lucky to have worked for some amazing chefs over the years.
3
3. Where did you study and do your apprenticeship?
I saved money to become a chef at a college in the UK. I’d paid for the course and started attending, but had a bad experience there. I couldn’t speak much English so the teachers weren’t very nice. I decided to leave the course and just work my way through kitchens, getting on-the-job experience. I worked for free for a long time. There was a huge language barrier so I learnt through repetition.
4 5
4. Which kitchens did you work in first?
I worked in kitchens all across the UK, starting at the very bottom. But I did my time at each place and grew as a chef. 5. When did you come to Australia and what were your first impressions?
My first impression was “amazing”. Australia is one of the most amazing places in the world. I thought there would be kangaroos everywhere and everyone would look like Crocodile Dundee. I arrived in Manly (Sydney) 16 years ago and couldn’t believe how different it was to Spain. continued next page... August 2019
E ssence | 73
PENINSULA