The effervescent Miguel Maestre, chef extraordinaire from The Living Room, recently visited Byron Farmers Market with his film crew, seeking ingredient inspiration – and he wasn’t left disappointed!
Miguel says the Northern Rivers is one of the most beautiful places in Australia, and that the food grown here is absolutely stunning. ‘I couldn’t not visit one of the best farmers’ markets there is – in Byron Bay,’ he said.
Georgina Inwood, of Table Under a Tree, a business that delivers meal kits using locally sourced ingredients, led Miguel on a tour of Byron Farmers Market and introduced him to our local farmers and producers.
‘We had an absolute blast filming with Miguel for The Living Room,’ said Georgina. ‘Miguel’s food knowledge was amazing, and his curiosity about Northern Rivers’ ingredients and producers was genuine and went way beyond filming. He’s the real deal.’
Ms Inwood said she felt lucky to have the chance to talk with Miguel about the local producers and about the beautiful food they grow and make. ‘That’s what Table Under a Tree has always been about,’ she said. ‘Connecting all of us with the people who make, grow and raise the food we eat.’
Miguel and Georgina sourced a number of local ingredients from the market – including macadamia nuts, olives, olive oil, cheese, butter, milk and spices – to whip up a ‘pumpketta’, Miguel’s vegetarian twist on the Italian classic, porchetta.
Not only was the pumpketta a hit, but shopping for the ingredients was also eventful, with much fun had as the eccentric Spanish/Australian chef made his way around the market.
The whole pumpketta episode is streaming online – head to 10play.com.au/the-living-room to catch Miguel showcasing local produce from our farmers.
Byron Farmers Market is held every Thursday 7am–11am at the Cavanbah Centre, and every Saturday morning 7–11am behind the Bangalow Pub.
Effervescent? I think ridiculous is a more apt a description.