From the kitchen to the jungle to The Living Room. After interviewing Miguel Maestre I discovered why he’s our favourite TV chef and Spaniard Straight Mate!
The Living Room is very popular. What’s the secret to its success?
The closeness of the presenters. On television you cannot manufacture chemistry and we really do love each other in a very genuine way. We all clicked since the first day on set. Some TV presenters probably don’t like each other once the cameras switch off (laughing), but I think friendships are really valued in Australia, and people identify with us being friends ‘outside of the screen’. Viewers like to relax with us at the end of their week, with a glass of wine and forget about everything else.
Your co-star Dr Chris Brown, who you affectionately call ‘Gringo’, has also done this interview. What’s it like working with him?
Oh Gringo is a very good-looking rooster! I’ve spent ten years working right next to him and the biggest challenge is that he always looks so good – in everything! Barry Du Bois (co-presenter) and I look at each other’s bellies and sigh! Gringo is very tall, good-looking and intelligent…but I’ll tell you something, he can’t cook! (Laughing) But we do have a beautiful relationship. My wife always says, “Are you going out with your boyfriend again, or someone else?” We go everywhere together and have so many experiences. We are pretty much like a couple!
You won season six of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! How did that feel?
That was a really long month and a never-ending story. From the beginning, it was all about getting money for my charity R U OK? The previous year I went on Dancing With The Stars and was the first person kicked out. I really tried hard too, because I wanted to reach the $50K. A lot of my friends have lost the battle with mental health and that was a big motivator for me. I’m the kind of guy who always gets up after being knocked down, so I thought I’d give this jungle thing a go, and instead of raising $50K I’ll take out the $100K!
Australia’ s favourite Spanish chef Miguel Maestre!
And you did, in a very confronting show!
It was a very challenging experience both physically and mentally, but afterwards we were having conversations about R U OK? We raised awareness for men in Australia to talk about their feelings and for me, that was one of the best things ever. Mission accomplished!
“My wife always says, “Are you going out with your boyfriend again, or someone else?””
Your philanthropic work also includes being an ambassador to the Cancer Council of Australia and CARE Australia. What’s your advice on coping in our Covid era?
Stay connected! Mental health in Australia is a serious issue. The suffering in our population is massive, even higher than car accidents. But the key to fighting the stigma is to stay connected with people. A listening ear is the best medicine in the world. That’s how we look after our mates. We go to the gym to look after our bodies but we don’t take the time to look after our minds, and that’s very important.
In 2014 you received the Officer’s Cross Order of the Civil Merits from Felipe VI, the King of Spain. A pretty high honour!
It was crazy! It’s always awarded to like architects and doctors, or people who have discovered something. So when the Spanish Embassy called to tell me, I couldn’t believe it and I received a letter from the King of Spain thanking me. It’s one of my best memories and I keep the medal in a little box on my bedside table. Whenever I have a tough day I look at it, and it ignites a little flame in me.
Have you ever had a night out on the town with your gay mates?
Oh yeah! I’ve been in all the nightclubs and had so much fun. Stonewall is all happening! I’ve hung out with Courtney Act and been in a lot of the drag shows. I’d say “Oh my god, Courtney! I got lost in you eyes!” I’m not gay but I’m a very colourful person and have a great time with my gay friends. I think that Gringo and I should have a float in the Mardi Gras!
Miguel Maestre with The Living Room co-hosts Barry Du Bois, Dr Chris Brown & Amanda Keller
Yes, there should be a Living Room float! I’m surprised your co-host Amanda Keller hasn’t arranged it!
It would be amazing! We’ll have to start working on it!
If you were gay, who would be your man crush?
Ricky Martin! If I were a gay man I’d be kissing Ricky Martin on the lips! I’ve loved Ricky since I was a kid. His music, his moves and looks…he’s got the X factor. In Spain he’s bigger than Elvis Presley. He loves cooking, so I decided to send him a hamper full of my products. He was so blown away with it that he rang up to thank me. But I was filming in Canada with Gringo and missed the call! But he left a beautiful and very personal message.
Didn’t you also cook for Enrique Iglesias?
Oh my god yes, when I was the guest chef at the Melbourne Cup, and he asked me to sit down with him. He was the loveliest guy. I don’t think he had a clue what was going on with the Melbourne Cup, but he was so happy with my Spanish dishes and that I was from Murcia where he has a lot of friends.
Who’s your music diva?
I listen to Latino music a lot, and I’d have to say Shakira and J.Lo. They are two girls I really look up to. Also, Sofia Vergara! She’s not a singer, but I love her cheeky and salty personality.
I seem to remember on The Living Room, you and Chris visited Tina Turner’s actual Nut Bush City Limits?
Oh yes! We danced the Nutbush in Nutbush Tennessee and spoke to two women who went to school with Tina Turner. I didn’t know the dance, but Gringo was very good at it because Australians learn it in school. But the funniest thing was that nobody in Nutbush actually knows that dance! I also love Tina, especially when she was in Mad Max!
“If I were a gay man I’d be kissing Ricky Martin on the lips!”
What dance song do you find irresistible?
I know it’s a cliché because I’m Spanish, but it’s La Bamba! I’ll sing it with anyone anywhere!
Have you ever had a gay mate come out to you?
Yes, my friend in Spain, when I was about sixteen. At the time he couldn’t even tell his parents and one day he just told me. It was such a beautiful experience and especially in that he trusted me. At first he really struggled with it and it was a long process for him, but he’s really happy now. His mum and dad were really good about it too. It was just fear more than anything. Another friend recently came out too, who I helped and supported.
Did you ever witness homophobia growing up in Spain?
Not really. Spain is a very traditional and Christian country, but it also approved same sex marriage about twenty years ago and has a lot of fun cities with amazing Mardi Gras events. I was never really surrounded by homophobic behaviour and I would never tolerate it either. Respecting and accepting people for the way they are is one of my big principles. It’s very important to me.
You’re a great chef, but what’s your favourite indulgence junk food?
Two-minute noodles taste so good! But I make a gourmet version where I add something from the deli like a bit of roast beef or a bit of seasoning. But I’m in love with chocolate! I could eat Churros for breakfast lunch and dinner! Luckily I don’t, otherwise I’d be 150 kilos!
What do you think makes a great Australian dish?
Eighty-seven per cent of Australia cooks Spaghetti Bolognese every week! It’s the most cooked dish in the whole country and in England it’s Chicken Masala. It’s just one of those crazy things. But for me, the real Australian dish is using the country’s unique ingredients and flavours. So I’ll be controversial and say kangaroo, emu, crocodile, wattle seed, pepper berries, lemon myrtle, quandongs, bush tomatoes….Australian cuisine is so unique and I think we are just starting to embrace it.
What quote do you live by
“Don’t be afraid of pressure, because pressure turns coal into a diamond”. Also that “Love is the best ingredient in life”. Everything tastes better with it! That’s my life in a nutshell – a walnut!
“I think that Gringo and I should have a float in the Mardi Gras!”
Have you ever had an onset wardrobe malfunction?
Oh, all the time! Even the other day for The Living Room, we were using a punching bag and I punched it so hard my jeans exploded! I’m a big boy and we always have a problem with jeans!
Underneath are you briefs, boxers or a freeballer?
Tight comfy boxers. I wear different undies for different jobs. For a suit they’re loose and for sport they’re a bit tighter to hold all the Chorizo in place!
The Living Room screens 7.30pm Fridays on Network TEN
For more visit: miguelmaestre.com.au & ruok.org.au
