Chef Ferdinand ‘Budgie’ Montoya Wiki, Age, Wife, Family, Parents, Nationality, Ethnicity, Great British Menu

Budgie Montoya Biography – Budgie Montoya Wiki

Ferdinand ‘Budgie’ Montoya is a Filipino chef. He has his own restaurant, Sarap Bistro, in London. Budgie appeared on Great British Menu 2023, representing London and South East.

Born in the Philippines, Budgie was raised in Sydney, Australia, where cooking had always been a side hobby to his career in IT. It wasn’t until his late 20s, whilst on a trip to London in 2009, that he questioned whether he should swap computers for pans.

Following his move to London in 2012, Budgie finally took the plunge to pursue cooking professionally, landing positions such as commis chef at Dean Street Townhouse, and demi chef de partie at Restaurant Story.

In late 2016, he started a supper club – Sarap – as a chance to be more creative, learn more about Filipino food and reconnect with his culture. From there he did a pop up at the Sun & 13 Cantons in Soho 2019, and later moved on to opening his first pop up Sarap location in January 2020. In Summer 2023, Sarap will be opening their first permanent restaurant in Kingly Court, Soho.

Budgie describes his cooking as simple and elegant – with a Filipino soul and a London heart. His cooking is deeply influenced by Filipino cuisine and pays homage to his origins. He often adapts his dishes from traditional recipes, or uses traditional ingredients to keep that connection.

“I was born in the Philippines but grew up in Sydney, Australia,” chef Budgie Montoya told Sainsbury’s magazine. “Growing up as part of the Filipino diaspora meant that our food was very important to us and reminded us of our homeland. Filipino food is very unique, due to the country’s rich history of colonisation and trade throughout the region. The Philippines was ruled by the Spanish for over 350 years and before that trade links to China and the rest of south-east Asia were very common. I like to think the country is one of the original melting pots. Our food is a real fusion cuisine – most dishes will have ingredients and influences from China, such as noodles and soy sauce, Spain and Mexico, and down south the Muslim communities are influenced by Indonesian cuisine.”

Budgie Montoya Age

Ferdinand ‘Budgie’ Montoya was born in September 1982 in Davao City, Philippines.

Budgie Montoya Great British Menu

Chef Ferdinand ‘Budgie’ Montoya appeared on Great British Menu 2023, representing London and South East. His rivals include Robbie Lorraine, Brian Danclair and Avinash ‘Avi’ Shashidhara.

Budgie wishes to champion Filipino cuisine in his GBM dishes, inspired by Horrid Henry and Winnie the Pooh.

Posting on Instagram, Budgie wrote: “So I did a thing! Still can’t quite believe it but, I’m happy to announce that I’m taking part in this year’s @greatbritishmenu representing #londonsoutheast.

“This year, in honour of Paddington Bear’s 65th birthday, the show is celebrating British animation and illustration.

“Truly humbled and proud to not only be representing the region I now call home, but also as always, my heritage #filipinofoodforward.”

Budgie Montoya Nationality

Chef Budgie is of Australian nationality.

Budgie Montoya Ethnicity

Chef Budgie is of Filipino heritage.

Budgie Montoya Instagram

Budgie Montoya’s Instagram handle is @budgie_montoya.