Celebrate Dad: Celebrity chefs share their favourite Father’s Day recipes

Top recipes from celebrity chefs, Miguel Maestre, George Georgievski, and Alastair McLeod.

Celebrity chefs Miguel Maestre, George Georgievski, and Alastair McLeod are sharing their top Father’s Day recipes to make the day extra special.

Whether you’re planning a grand feast or a simple treat, these recipes will bring a gourmet touch to your celebration.

These easy-to-follow recipes are perfect for creating a memorable Father’s Day meal.

With Miguel, George, and Alastair’s tips, you can easily whip up a delicious home-cooked treat that shows dad just how much he’s appreciated.

Father’s Day recipes by celebrity chefs

Miguel Maestre’s Basque Cheesecake “Mignums”

Chef, restaurateur, author, and TV presenter, Miguel Maestre is the host of Network 10’s Ready Steady Cook Australia and formerly co-host of The Living Room.

My best Father’s Day…

One of the biggest surprises I have ever received for Father’s Day was when Sascha and Claudia secretly filmed themselves making my churros for me.  So beautiful. 

The Basque cheesecake is one of the things my family always like to cook on Father’s Day as it’s one of the most delicious cheesecakes ever and so easy to make. I will be demonstrating this recipe at the GFWS Brisbane but with a cooking hack, as I will use the cheesecake to make lollipops. 

Miguel’s favourite Father’s Day recipe is…

Basque Cheesecake “Mignums”

12 serves
Prep 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 Burnt Basque Cheesecake from Woolworths Miguel Maestre Brand
• Chopped toasted almonds, chopped pistachios and sea salt, to salt decorate (optional)
• Chocolate Coating
• 400g good quality milk chocolate
• 200g cocoa butter

Method:

• Cut cheesecake into 12 equal wedges. Insert a paddle pop stick (or skewer) into the thickest end of each wedge. Place on a tray and freeze overnight until firm.
• For coating, combine chocolate and cocoa butter in a bowl. Sit bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir until melted. Remove. Transfer to a jug.
• Dip frozen cheesecake into chocolate mixture, allowing excess to drip away. If desired, sprinkle with almonds and pistachios, then dip again in chocolate. Remove and allow excess to drip away. Sprinkle with salt, if using.
• Return to tray until set.

George Georgievski’s Calzone recipe

Creator of the hit platform School Lunchbox, George Georgievski has a massive global following. He’s also the author of several cook books, including Lunchbox Express.

My best Father’s Day…

“Hearing the words “dad” from my almost one year old back 14 years ago was the most I ever felt like a dad. As long as my kids and loved ones are healthy, it’s Father’s Day everyday. However, I love getting a new pair of socks and a card that’s also signed from my dog. The novelty never wears out.”

George’s favourite Father’s Day recipe is…

Calzone

Ingredients

DOUGH

• 2 cups (300g) plain flour
• 2 tsp (7g) instant yeast
• 1 tsp caster sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup (185ml) warm tap water
• 2 tbsp olive oil

FILLING

• 3 eggs
• 100g sliced ham, diced
• 1 large tomato, finely diced
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ⅔ cup (70g) shredded pizza blend cheese

Method:

DOUGH

• To make the dough, combine flour, yeast, sugar and salt in a large bowl.
• Add water and oil. Stir to form a soft dough.
• Knead on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
• Set aside, covered, while making the filling.

FILLING

• Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to the boil and cook for 5 minutes (medium boiled eggs). Drain and immerse in cold water. Peel and chop into 1cm dice.
• Combine chopped eggs, ham, tomatoes, oregano and cheese. Mix well.

CALZONES

• Preheat oven to 220°C/200°C (fan-forced) and line 2 large baking trays with baking paper.
• On a floured bench, cut ball of dough into eight equal pieces. Roll out each piece to a 12cm circle.
• Divide filling into 8 portions, approx. ⅓ cup per portion. Spoon onto one half of each of the dough circles. Fold pastry to enclose filling and pinch edges together.
• Place calzone on prepared tray and cook for 15 minutes, or until golden and crisp. Serve warm or cold.

Alastair McLeod’s Mixed Berry Cake recipe

Dad-of-three and familiar face from Ready Steady Cook, Queensland Weekender, and ABC Radio. Alastair also hosts his own food show, Off the Eaten Track.

My best Father’s Day…

“My favourite Father’s Day was last year when I had all three daughters together. The 7yo is pretty easy to wrangle but my 23yo, singer /songwriter, Sycco has just released her debut album and has just got seriously busy. My eldest girl is a lawyer and is making her mark in London town. I’m so proud of them but I miss having them all together.”

Alastair’s favourite Father’s Day recipe is…

Mixed berry cake

Ingredients

• 500g assorted berries
• 200g caster sugar
• 125ml canola oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 lemon, zest & juice
• 250g Greek yoghurt
• 1 tsp vanilla paste
• 335g plain flour
• 1 tbs baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• Yoghurt Chantilly, to serve
• Icing sugar

Method:

• Preheat oven to 180C. Grease & line a 23 cm cake tin.
• Next, dice 1 cup’s worth of fruit into small pieces and reserve the rest for presentation.
• Place sugar, oil, eggs, lemon zest & juice, yoghurt & vanilla & whisk together until well combined.
• Add flour, baking powder & salt & whisk until batter is smooth.
• Pour half the mixture into the cake pan & scatter over diced fruit. Top with remaining mixture & top with reserved fruit, halved if desired. Bake for 50 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean. Allow to cook for 15 minutes before turning out onto cooling rack.
• Serve warm or at room temperature dusted with icing sugar, and serve with yoghurt Chantilly 

Yoghurt Chantilly

Ingredients:

• 200ml thickened cream
• 60g icing sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla paste
• 200ml Greek yoghurt

Method: 

• Whisk cream, sugar & vanilla until stiff peaks form. Add yoghurt & whisk again until well combined.

Good Food & Wine Show

Get ready, foodies! The Brisbane Good Food & Wine Show is back from October 25–27th. It’s Australia’s longest-running food and wine event, celebrating 23 years in 2024.

Expect on-the-spot tastings, celebrity chefs – include Miguel Maestre, George Georgievski, and Alastair McLeod – sharing cooking tips, and plenty of interactive sessions.

With over 1,000 artisans and brands, there’s something for everyone – even parents looking to spice up family meals. Don’t miss out on this epic food fest!