Chef, TV personality, proud family man, and Diabetes Australia Ambassador, Miguel Maestre is someone who believes in the power of food to bring people together and lift the spirit.

His journey to becoming one of Australia’s most loved food personalities started in the sun-drenched south of Spain, in a city called Murcia. The region is known for its vibrant festivals and is sometimes referred to as the “Garden of Europe” due to its fertile lands and agricultural production. The area is bursting with fresh produce, flavour, and family – all things Miguel still holds close.

The middle child of three brothers, Miguel grew up in a home full of laughter, joy and great food. His parents are still in Murcia, “they are beautiful, still in love, and both happy and healthy,” says Miguel.

Food at the heart of his childhood

His grandfather, a towering, strong-willed man ran a farm, fathered 20 children, and lived with diabetes.

“He was 150 kilos and as stubborn as anything,” says Miguel. “I think about him a lot. He was part of the big, noisy family I grew up in where food was love, and food brought people together.”

On Sundays the entire extended family gathered around a huge paella pan or a roasting tray of pork at the farm.

“We picked capsicums straight from the plant, pulled watermelons out of the ground. Food wasn’t just a meal, it was an event,” says Miguel.

From those big, joyful gatherings, Miguel’s passion grew.

A journey from Spain to Scotland, and on to Sydney

At 19, driven by a desire to cook and a hunger for adventure, Miguel packed up and left Spain to become a chef. His first stop was Edinburgh.

“It was a baptism of fire,” he laughs. “I washed dishes, peeled prawns, and worked security as a bouncer on weekends, but I loved every second of it.”

Three years in Edinburgh not only sharpened his culinary skills but also introduced him to Sascha, the woman who would become his wife. Together, they chased a new dream across the globe to Australia. Miguel and Sascha arrived in Sydney with “a suitcase full of dreams, an empty wallet, and a passion for life”.

Kitchen to camera

In Australia, Miguel worked with some of the country’s culinary greats, such as Tony Bilson and Serge Dansereau, across iconic kitchens including Bathers’ Pavilion in Bondi. But it was a chance encounter during a TV shoot at the Pavilion that changed everything.

A producer spotted something in Miguel, charisma, warmth, and a spark that couldn’t be ignored. “He thought I might be good on TV,” says Miguel. “His famous last words.”

Soon, he found himself filming segments with Ed Halmagyi on Better Homes and Gardens and, just three weeks later, Miguel landed a contract with Channel 7.

From Boys Weekend on Foxtel to 11 years and over 600 episodes on The Living Room with Network 10, Miguel became a household name. He was a natural in front of the camera, known for his humour, heart, and high-energy.

“Live cooking is my favourite thing to do. Last year I did over 35 live shows, including my 100th Good Food & Wine Show. I’m the Rafael Nadal of cooking demos,” he laughs.

Alongside his many live shows, Miguel is also a savvy entrepreneur. Under his Maestre Enterprises brand, Miguel is now one of Australia’s largest manufacturers of free-range pork and has over 70 products on shelves. But if you ask him his biggest achievement, he doesn’t hesitate “Being the husband to Sascha and dad to Claudia and Morgan,” he replies.

A Spanish soul with Aussie roots

While Miguel is proudly Spanish, he’s deeply in love with Australia and its native ingredients.

“I’ve made paella with buffalo and crocodile in the Northern Territory, and cooked barramundi straight from the water wrapped in paperbark over fire.

“I love using lemon myrtle, it has a very Mediterranean taste, and pepperberry – the leaves burn in your mouth. I love bush tomatoes, fish, and salt clams. There are so many amazing ingredients in Australia.”

Miguel is also passionate about simple, fresh ingredients.

“Extra virgin olive oil is very important. We are lucky in Australia to have amazing olive oil. And bananas, avocados, mangoes, tomatoes, fish, shellfish, nuts, garlic, and chilli. Leafy greens are amazing – I make a salad every day. And cos lettuce! It is the most underrated ingredient in the world.”

Miguel’s budget tips

Miguel doesn’t believe good food needs to be expensive; the secret is planning for the week ahead.

• Know what you’re cooking each day and tell the family. You can save 40% on your food budget with good planning.
• Never shop hungry.
• Buy in bulk. Get a whole chicken instead of chicken pieces, large packs of mince, rice, pasta, legumes.
• If you buy in bulk, you can also prep in bulk. Make a huge pan of Bolognese and use it for different meals across the week. Think spaghetti Bolognese, tacos, burritos, cottage pie.
• Use everything – boil the carcass of the roast chicken in water and then you have a delicious stock for risotto.

“We get carried away with things like wagyu,” he says. “If you want steak, just use one small piece, slice it really thin and serve with loads of veggies and salad.

“We just need to be smarter. Roast carrots in the oven with mustard. That is so cheap and turns into the most delicious accompaniment. You will be amazed at how much you can save.”

Fuss free food

Miguel is passionate about helping everyday people fall in love with cooking.

“You don’t need to be on MasterChef to cook dinner,” he says. “A French omelette with ham and cheese is a great start.

“If you are scared of chopping chicken – that’s okay. Buy it pre-cut, and grab a bag of salad. Just get started.

“For good health, reduce the amount of salt you use and instead reach for the herbs and veggies. A clove of garlic, lamb mince, and a handful of mint, roll into meatballs and you’re done.

“Add veggies to everything zucchini in your Bolognese, spiralised carrots in frittatas, grated cauliflower in couscous. The kids won’t even notice.

“And make your own sauces,” he adds. “One egg, splash of vinegar and boom. Homemade mayo. So much healthier than the bottled stuff.”

Food, mood, and mental health

As an RUOK? ambassador, Miguel is a big believer in the power of food to lift mood.

“When you eat a fresh watermelon from the fridge it feels amazing, right? Way better than a lolly. A salad makes you feel good. Fried chicken might taste good in the moment, but a big greasy meal makes me feel terrible.”

For Miguel, eating well isn’t just about nutrition, it’s a way of life that supports mental wellbeing. He used his platform on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2020 to help start conversations about mental health and burnout. He knows firsthand the relentless pressure in hospitality and says when you mix that with the stigma people often feel about speaking up, it can get dark very quickly. He raised $100,000 for RUOK?, and left the jungle with a renewed passion for resourceful, joyful cooking.

Miguel Maestre is many things: chef, entertainer, entrepreneur, dad, husband, and above all, a passionate believer that food is more than fuel – it’s connection, comfort, and a daily reminder that looking after yourself can start with what’s on your plate.