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Miguel Maestre
Miguel first began cooking when he was 21. His progression was quick and he worked his way up through the ranks at Indigo Yard (Edinburgh). Miguel returned to Spain before moving to Australia 6 years ago. He worked in some of Sydney’s premier kitchens including Bather’s Pavilion, Bel Mondo and Cru, before taking up the position at Minus 5 at Circular Quay. Miguel became Head Chef of Tony Bilson’s Number One Wine Bar in Sydney’s Circular Quay, and working under his friend and mentor Manu Feildel he impressed the Sydney food scene.
Miguel opened his first restaurant in November 2009, El Toro Loco (The Mad Bull) which is located in Manly. This massive undertaking is one of Sydney’s largest kitchens and is where Miguel serves wonderful Tapas food and amazing Paella.
Miguel began to develop a role in the media with his first series of Boys Weekend, a cooking adventure show he presented alongside friends Gary Mehigan, Manu Feildel and Adrian Richardson. The show has aired in over 100 countries worldwide and aired on Network Ten in December 2009. He latest series, Miguel’s Tropical Kitchen, aired early 2010 on the Lifestyle Food Channel. Miguel has made guest appearance on shows such as “9am with David & Kim”, “Better Homes and Gardens” and conducted cooking spots on MixFM in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
Miguel’s passion for food and life is infectious and with his talent for incorporating Spanish ingredients and cooking styles into his modern Australian menus, this is one Chef to watch.
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Antonios Chayna inherited an interest in food from his mother and qualified as a chef at the early age of 19. He began working fine dining hotels and restaurants in Sydney where he perfected his skills and got an opportunity to work under very demanding conditions cooking for celebrities such as former President of the USA Bill Clinton and Claudia Schiffer.
In 1999 Antonios joined Bankstown Sports as Commis Chef to help the club in its quest to raise the quality and excellence of the cuisine. Today Antonios is a Sous Chef who has special responsibilities for Platform One as well as working on major events in the grand ballroom.
Antonios has been a part of Bankstown Bites since its inception, representing Platform One Restaurant and assisting celebrity chefs such as Ian Hewitson and Fast Ed.
Antonios is passionate about cooking, especially with fresh seasonal ingredients. He prefers to have the ingredients speak for themselves. Antonios lives by the motto. “Use the best ingredients and do as little as possible with it"
Antonios will be demonstrating some of his favourite dishes this year, including 'Duck confit of the leg with spiced orange' and 'Grilled palm sugar pineapple with crème fraiche'. Click here to view recipes
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Kiri Valsamis
 Kiri is a senior Technology and Applied Studies teacher. Her professional experiences include working in a range of school settings. She has undertaken a number of projects for the Board of Studies and is a co-author of Whole Food Books 1 and 2 – the latest school food technology textbooks. Kiri is an active committee member of: Home Economics Institute of Australia - NSW and Nutrition Australia – NSW; the What Next? Charity as well as a general member of the Food Media Club. She has been a regional judge at local Agricultural and community competitions and she has presented cookery demonstrations at Nutrition Australia events. She is committed to developing sound understanding and positive perspectives towards food. Kiri will be demonstrating how to make Koulourakia, a traditional Greek dessert .
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Ashleigh Judge
Ashleigh Judge isn't just a singing sensation, having joined Bankstown Talent Advancement Program in 2008, for the last 3 years she's won the Fresh Cookery Competition for under 17s at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. She's in fine company with her family, as each year her mum Leanne, brother Mark and sister Kimberley have cooked up a storm at the Show too.
At the age of 15 we can't think of a better youth representative to appear at this year's Bankstown Bites. Ashleigh will take to the stage to prepare her award winning recipe and then serve up a song. Who could ask for anything more? Click here to view recipes
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