Miguel, who has co-hosted The Living Room and hosted his own television shows such as Miguel’s Feast and Miguel’s Tropical Kitchen, takes on the Ambassadorial role having featured last year in the Bus Stop Films’ inclusively made film Mise en Place, directed by Julian Neuhaus.
Bus Stop Films, winner of the 2023 SPA Award for Breakthrough Business of the Year, is a disability-led not for profit social enterprise which uses filmmaking and the film industry to raise the profile of people with disabilities though filmmaking and the film industry, on both sides of the camera.
“I am thrilled that Miguel has agreed to an on-going role with Bus Stop Films as an Ambassador. The experience of working with Bus Stop’s students had such a profound impact on Miguel that it inspired him to work alongside use to further our ambition for a more inclusive screen industry and greater representation and employment of people with disabilities in film and TV across Australia and around the world. We loved the energy and passion that Miguel brought to our set and cannot wait to continue working with him, changing lives and minds through film,” said Bus Stop Films’ CEO, Tracey Corbin-Matchett.
Mise en Place, which also starred up-and-coming actor Ashley Khule, a participant of Bus Stop’s Accessible Film Studies Program at the Australian Film Television and Radio School, was set in a commercial kitchen. Ashley lives with Down syndrome.
Miguel said: Working with Bus Stop Films on Mise en Place was one of the most amazing and rewarding experiences of my media career. Bus Stop are showing the world how we, the media and screen industries, can be more kind and more creative, something that I am very passionate about. I am so honoured to be on board the bus – and can’t wait to make more amazing films with them.”
Tracey added: “Mise en Place has been entered into a number of film festivals in Spain and Australia and we look forward to seeing Miguel walk the red carpet with our participants and celebrate film, inclusion and a beautiful connection between culture, community and creativity.”
Having worked for many years in various kitchens around the world, Miguel Maestre is one talented Spaniard who has made Sydney his home. Born in Murcia in the south of Spain, his love for food was pre-determined from a young age. Miguel’s passion for food and life is infectious, and he has developed a talent for incorporating Spanish ingredients and cooking styles into his Australian menus.
Miguel worked alongside some of the best chefs in Australia including Serge Dansereau of Bather’s Pavilion, and the Godfather of Australian Cuisine Tony Bilson being head chef of his restaurant Number One.
After being inspired with Ferran Adria in the kitchen of the number one restaurant in the world El Bulli, he opened his first Spanish Restaurant in Australia El Toro, The biggest Spanish restaurant in the country in an outstanding waterfront location at Manly Beach.
Some of his cooking credits include being the head chef at the most prestigious events in Australia such as the Emirates Melbourne Cup and Australian Grandprix.
Miguel has been awarded by His Majesty The King of Spain the highest award a citizen can receive, The Order of Civil Merits, for his extraordinary service to the nation for the benefit of Spain in the Australian media.
Miguel’s co-hosted the Network Ten’s four-time Logie winning and AACTA Award winning show The Living Room” that his other TV credits include Boys Weekend (airing in more than 100 countries worldwide), Miguel’s Tropical Kitchen where he charms his way through the tropics of North Queensland, cooking with exotic ingredients in breathtaking locations, Miguel’s Feasts, airing on Network Ten and internationally, Weekend Feasts and competing in Dancing With The Stars.
2020 saw Miguel win over the hearts of all the Australians being crowned the ‘King of the Jungle; on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!.
Miguel’s love of fresh, local and seasonal produce also sees him as a regular in the country’s top food festivals including the Good Food & Wine Show and Regional Flavours.
He is the owner and founder of Maestre Enterprises, a gourmet Spanish brand showcasing over smallgoods, bakery, cheeses, paella kits, patatas fritas and cookware.
Miguel is the author of three best-selling Spanish books Miguel’s Tapas and Spanish Cooking and Feasts, and he is co-author of the Life Force with Barry Du Bois.
Miguel is also a proud Brand Ambassador for Stockland and Harris Scarfe and he also works closely with the following charities OzHarvest, R U Ok? and CARE Australia.
