Miguel shares his secret ingredient for success with local chefs-in-training

TAFE Queensland cookery students hogged the spotlight with one of Australia’s most popular celebrity chefs, Miguel Maestre, as he hosted cooking master classes at Kingaroy’s BaconFest last weekend.

With an infectious passion for food, flair for flavour and cheeky sense of humour, the Aussie-Spanish TV personality stirred up the crowds aided by chefs-in-training, Dameon and Danyelle.

Together with their Certificate II in Kitchen Operations (SIT20322) classmates at TAFE Queensland’s Kingaroy campus, Dameon and Danyelle busily prepared for weeks leading up to the celebration of the region’s world-class produce and hearty hospitality.

“Large scale events like BaconFest provide a hands-on, practical training ground for our students, and offers insight into where a career in the industry can take you,” said Jason Ford, TAFE Queensland Kingaroy's Hospitality and Cookery Teacher.

According to the South Burnett food ambassador and experienced chef, working in the hospitality industry can lead to career opportunities not just around Australia but all over the world.

“There is strong demand now and into the future for qualified chefs and hospitality professionals, and real-world experience at events like this, can help kick start your career in the kitchen.” explained Chef Ford.

As well as cooking centre stage alongside Miguel, the students served delectable dishes featuring local produce for special guests at the event’s signature Long Table Breakfast and showcased their very own commemorative Taste of TAFE spice rub to the thousands of visitors who attended over the weekend. 

The South Burnett is a fertile launch pad for thriving careers in the hospitality, food and tourism industry, with a host of world-class growers and producers hailing from the region.

Local students can hone their culinary skills and gain industry-essential knowledge in TAFE Queensland’s Kingaroy campus training kitchen stocked with commercial grade equipment. 

Creating seafood, meat and poultry dishes, making stocks, sauces and soups, and understanding the art of pairing herbs and spices with key ingredients, are all important aspects of the commercial cookery courses taught by Jason and the team of experienced teachers.