Gourmet Farmer and Associates
by Roger Findlay
Meeting the Gourmet Farmer…
Travelling around Tasmania I have met so many people enjoying life; doing the things that they enjoy best. If you’ve walked through Salamanca Market on a Saturday, you’ll know exactly what I mean.
Matthew Evans: the Gourmet Farmer
Matthew Evans was the editor and restaurant reviewer for the Sydney Morning Herald food supplement before starting a new life in Cygnet, Tasmania. He was escaping the rat-race of city life and the pressure of the job. By reporting the truth on a few upmarket restaurants it got to the stage where his life had to contend with an element of animosity and threat. His book, Never Order Chicken on a Monday, is intriguing stuff and tells the full story.
Gourmet Farmer on SBS
On Thursday, August 25 at 7.30pm, SBS will be screening the first episode in the second series of Gourmet Farmer. I do know that Evans and associates did some filming on Flinders Island as well as mainland regions of Tasmania.
Nick Haddow and Ross O’Meara share and live the same dream as Evans. Nick is the owner of the Bruny Island Cheese Company and Ross O’Meara is an artisan butcher who makes the most wonderful pork pies.
A Common Ground
Until quite recently, the trio and their wares could be found running a stall at Salamanca Market, but they have now moved to a small shop called A Common Ground at the bottom end of Salamanca.
Farmers Markets & Artisan Producers
On our last visit to Hobart in July of this year, Matthew Evans had a stall at the Hobart Farmers Market and my wife, Jeanette, purchased his latest cookbook: Winter on the Farm.
I can’t wait to see the next Gourmet Farmer series; or to visit Tasmania again, where the produce is so fresh. We should all support the likes of Matthew Evans and the other growers at farmers markets. They are the ones preserving the values of what food used to be like.
Editor’s Note: A Common Ground is also the name given to a collaboration between the Gourmet Farmer (Matthew Evans), Ross O’Meara, Nick Haddow and other Tasmanian artisan producers. With the dynamic trio at the helm, farmers, fishermen, winemakers and brewers present their gourmet produce at functions held in unique locations.
So far one event has been hosted in a stone barn in Stanley. Another in a paddock on Flinders Island. Apparently, Mount Wellington makes the perfect location for a winter feast of fondue and mulled wine. Go figure!
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We watched the first episode last night and will investigate the pigs head sausage. Did any of you notice that the randy rooster was named Roger?
Pigs head sausage? Really? That didn’t appeal to me at all. And I hope Roger the Rooster doesn’t end up in the pot one day. Poor baby piglet, too!
We had someone ask about contacting Matthew Evans to feature in a mural, so we’ll pass that info on. That would be interesting.
Oh dear. Roger did end up in the pot after all, for firing blanks. What a terrible way to go!
Roger the randy rooster – It was a funny piece.
Really enjoyed the program, loved the pigs! (but maybe not the sausage making….)
The sausage making… not for everyone!
We purchased Matthew’s book..Winter on the Farm, through Bruny Island Cheese Co a few months ago and have made quite a few recipes from it and each one has been delicious! The way the recipes are written is like having Matthew in the kitchen with you.
Can’t wait for our next visit to Tasmania and will definitely have a peek in the Shop. Love the programme as well.
All the best guys and thank you.
Good for you, Kathy! Enjoy your next trip to Tasmania – let us know where else you plan to visit and what you buy in A Common Ground to enjoy.
Just watched program no2. A wonderful mouthwatering feast enjoyed by all it seems. My wife and myself will be visiting Mole Creek where our son Paul is building on his farmland. We will be looking for your cooking publications for our Xmas feast plus your wonderful wines. Great shows and our very best wishes to you and your team.
Thank you, Graham & May McFarlane
It was a great event, wasn’t it Graham (despite the wet weather). I hope you and May have a lovely visit with Paul and good luck with the wines etc.
All the best, Tania
G’Day, Love the Gourmet Farmer show, would love to have info on the next feast in a paddock etc, to obtain a ticket. I’m up on the North West Coast. Please advise, thank you.
We need information like this, every success for the future.
Best Regards,
Ellie-May
Hello Ellie May
You can find details about scheduled events at the Common Ground website.
Hope you enjoy the experience…
Tania
Good Day Matthew, I grew up at Lunawanna on South Bruny Island. Just after Christmas, my brother and I would catch the ferry over to Cygnet and attend the Catholic School there for ten days. I must say I didn’t like it at all. Very regimented and one time I had my mouth washed out with soap for swearing at a Nun who slapped my face for being asleep during a particularly boring Catechism class. In the 60’s I drove Tourist Coaches for Ansett Pioneer and had lunch at one of the hotels in Cygnet. Love the show. It brings back many memories. Gee Bruny has grown, I must get back there some day. Cheers Paddy
Absolutely love watching your series seen 1 and 3 waiting patiently for 2. It’s well produced and everyone is natural and it’s extremely knowledgeable information. As a fellow small farmer I understand the same freedom and excitement about the land and the animals, keep making dvd’s we love them at our place and you give us lots of good tips. Thanks Sue
Love love love the gourmet farmer show . I have all for dvds the books etc ..would really make my year time see another new series be done. .. I now ragout want to live down there am so inspired. . Love the food the beliefs the scenery…. oh the lot !!!!!!!!
I love the show and would like to know how you can find out more about the hampers. The cheese and gin look and sound great. What other produce would be includes and can we get it in Victoria?