Ed’s letter
WHO ARE THE REIGNING
WIZARDS OF AUS? Where are the country’s top eats, regions, getaways and, of course, where is the top produce? Certainly, the
delicious. Produce Awards, in partnership with Miele, bring the country’s bounty to the fore. Our annual round-up of Australia’s best homegrown talent is a year-long campaign and is, quite simply, a privilege to be part of, both for the delicious. team and our 47-strong state and national judging panel. You can read about the results on page 21, and support local produce you love by using the hashtag #produceawards when you post. It’s never been more important to understand the story behind what’s on your plate, and I know the country’s producers would love your encouragement.
When it comes to recipes, Matt Willkinson’s update on the Aussie pie on page 66 seemed a no-brainer, particularly given the opening of his new The Pie Shop in Melbourne. Another pioneer in our hospitality business is Ronni Khan, who has taken OzHarvest from a food rescue service with one van to a global giant (and 32 vans that have delivered 66 million meals), all while transforming the way we think about food waste. She has quite rightly put this topic on the national agenda. With the news she was opening the country’s first ‘waste’-driven food market, we invited some of her collaborating chefs to share their ideas of a no-waste dinner on page 74. When we think about pioneers, delicious. contributing food editor Valli Little is one of note. It is with sadness and fondness this month that we remember Valli, who passed away in July. We salute her incredible contribution on page 16. Our Produce Awards ambassador Matt Moran is one of many chefs who help us celebrate Valli’s contribution to Australia’s food landscape. As he remembers supplying her Sydney deli with cakes, it’s apt that his recipes this month (p 120) cover no-bake versions of classic Aussie desserts.
My aunty and her husband have lived on an orchard in Stanthorpe in Queensland for many years, so I enjoyed the read on neighbouring city Toowoomba on page 146 – a stomping ground of my childhood. Like many regional cities, it is undergoing a food renaissance. We consider it our mission to leave no stone left unturned, so you’ll find a rundown of more hotspots of note in our Escape section from page 129. As we like to say at delicious., Advance Australia Fare!