IB Woman
Issue No. 17 - June/July 2004
Foodland Part 2
Beyond the Kitchen
by Dr. Susan Nelle and Dr. Susan Nelle
In the last issue, we introduced you to Dr Susan Nelle and the State Food Plan for which she is responsible. Here some of South Australia’s food producers discuss their involvement with the plan.
The name Maggie Beer is synonymous with the gourmet food business. Maggie’s epicurean adventure started in 1979 with the opening of The Pheasant Farm and Farmshop. Since that time there’d barely be a socialite in Australia who hasn’t served Maggie’s famous pate at least once. One of the doyennes of gourmandising, Maggie now has two export kitchens in Tanunda where regional produce is value added for local and international consumption.
Ulli Spranz started bio-dynamic dairy farming in Meadows 15 years ago. Bio-dynamic farming practices are of an organic nature whereby artificial fertilisers are not used. The farming process seeks to enhance the soil’s structure and nutrient cycles. The ‘BD Farm Paris Creek’ label produces and processes bio-dynamic milk, yogurt, fresh cheese, butter and cream.
Susan Berlin and Kris Lloyd are both exemplary cheese makers owning and operating the ‘Island Pure’ label from Kangaroo Island and ‘Woodside Cheesewrights’ from Woodside, respectively.
As bon vivant trail blazers, these businesswomen, and others, have encouraged and inspired the newer kids on the cheese block. Such as Mikaela Willford and Samantha Organ from the aptly named ‘Spice Girlz’ based in McLaren Vale. Producing a range of three chilli based chutneys and salsas, Mikaela and Sam have, in just three years, developed Spice Girlz in to an award-winning business that value-adds and produces shelf stable products sold in many gourmet outlets.
All have been involved with the State Food Plan, to varying degrees, and all strongly agree with the objective to grow the food industry contribution to the South Australian economy from $6 billion annually to $15 billion annually by 2010. Not only do they agree, but they also think...
