Tributes flow in for Noosa chef, Maisie’s owner Siegfried ‘Ziggy’ Fiegl

A Noosa chef who owned and operated Maisie’s Seafood and Steakhouse and the Lobster Trap is being remembered for his ‘larger than life’ personality after his recent death.

Julie and Ziggy Fiegl.

Tributes are flowing for Noosa business owner and well known chef Siegfried ‘Ziggy’ Fiegl after he passed away following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Mr Fiegl, who died on December 6 at the age of 78, was born in Austria before training as a chef in Vienna and applying his trade in New Zealand and Australia.

He married his wife Julie in 1984 and the pair had five children, 10 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Close friend Paul Romagnolo said Mr Fiegl died peacefully at home surrounded by his family.

Known as a hard worker, Mr Fiegl worked as executive chef in Sydney’s Sebel Townhouse, International Airport and Randwick racecourse, at times holding down three jobs at once.

Ziggy (left) and Julie Fiegl. Picture: Geoff Potter

The Fiegl’s moved to Noosa in 1988 where they purchased the ‘Lobster Trap’ on Gympie Tce and owned and managed that restaurant for 10 years.

Mr Fiegl was owner and chef of the Lobster Trap, then in 1997 he opened Maisie’s Seafood and Steakhouse.

In 2017 the pair decided to sell the establishment and retire.

Mr Romagnolo said it was named after Maisie Massoud, who considered Ziggy the son she never had.

“He loved being a restaurateur and enjoyed the challenges and the creativity of different dining experiences,” Romagnolo said.

“He won a number of awards for his restaurants such as best steak and seafood restaurant.

“He enjoyed cooking and watching others enjoy his food.”

Mr Romagnolo said he would be sorely missed.

“Ziggy will be remembered as a generous employer, owning two of the region’s top restaurants,” he said.

“He was always happy and his joy for life was infectious.

“We are all sad that Ziggy has passed and he will be sadly missed by friends and family.”