MEET OUR MAKERS
Join us as we chat to the wonderful producers and makers that we work with, to find out how they started their business, why their work is important and what the day-to-day life of a producer is really like!
Elizabeth Hewson of Saturday Night Pasta
Elizabeth Hewson is a degree-qualified gastronome and slow food icon, famous for her fun and vibrant recipes that scream Italian summer. With a regular gig as food columnist for The Weekend Australian and fierce online following, Elizabeth’s range of small batch comfort food is absolutely crushing it. It features:
Three hearty sauces filled with high summer Romas and terrific things like Fiasco Shiraz, Iron Bark smoked garlic, Archie Rose vodka and Toolunka Estate olive brine.
Two unique pastas made from golden Aussie durum wheat semolina, extruded through bronze dies and air dried for 48 hours.
One more reason to stay home this weekend!
Fiona Whatley of Springhill Farm
Fiona Whatley is the General Manager at Springhill Farm, the multifaceted food business creating Aussie farmhouse-inspired vegan & gluten free snacks.
Proudly second-generation family owned and run, Springhill Farm’s SLICE and boodles brands provide a modern twist on Aussie farmhouse kitchen-inspired snacks.
The range has grown from classic slices to special-occasion treats, healthy vegan snacks, yummy gluten free bites, and now delightfully crispy clusters with everyday snack brand boodles.
Mason Bagios of Kommunity Brew
Mason Bagios, CEO & Founder of the wonderful Kommunity Brew, a Western Australian based brewery manufacturing the freshest, highest quality, authentic kombucha and water-kefir in Australia.
Kommunity Brew spun out of a well-timed meeting between Mason and his co-founder Jarred while both working at a well-known whole foods store in Fremantle. While studying nutrition and naturopathy respectively and brewing kombucha at home, they decided to go into business together. With a mission to change Australia’s drinking culture for the better, they set out to fill family eskies and BBQs around the country with healthy and delicious non-alcoholic drinks.
Avit Bhindi of JIVA
Avit Bhindi is the founder of the delicious and health-giving JIVA Products, a handcrafted wellness beverage brand aiming to bring great-tasting, premium beverages to all who seek the best out of life.
Beginning in a ten square metre facility with Avit fermenting kombucha, pressing juice, filling bottles and delivering them on his own, JIVA has grown into a fully fledged, multifaceted wellness beverage brand. With a philosophy that ‘wellness is first and foremost about how you feel’, JIVA use the highest quality, all natural ingredients. They create a range of products including kombucha, tonics, juices and sparkling water, with reusable, recyclable packaging designed to be upcycled.
Lauren Allen of Poachers Pantry
Lauren Allen is the General Manager of Poachers Pantry, producers of award-winning small goods from Australia’s finest smokehouse. With a smokehouse, restaurant, vineyard, cellar door and weddings and events, this multifaceted business began back in 1991, when the founders - Susan and Robert Bruce and Mike Stride - saw a gap in the local Canberra market for fine small goods.
Poachers Pantry has been winning hearts for decades - include those of Qantas, the Sydney Olympics and top national restaurants. They do all the classics like bresaola and prosciutto plus modern twists on bacon and kangaroo. Poachers is the premium and established brand that makes any smallgoods section pop.
Aaron Trotman of NON
Aaron Trotman is the Founder of NON, a revolutionary drinks brand for a post-booze era.
NON could be the liquid lovechild of a winemaker, a celebrity chef, a mad scientist and Mother Nature. But it’s actually the creation of serial entrepreneur and global foodie Aaron Trotman, now pouring at all the hottest parties.
Their non-alcoholic wine alternatives are 0.0% alcohol, but they’re not trying to be alc-free wine. They’re more like a futuristic cocktail made from fresh produce prepared in top secret ways. Think: coffee, caramelised pears, kombu, cinnamon and olive brine to name a few!
Amber Pitsis of Valli Snacks
Amber Pitsis is the Founder & CEO of Valli Snacks, creators of a range of delicious superfood gummies. These superfood lollies appeal strongly to folks looking for vegan, gut friendly, all natural and delightfully convenient treats.
They’re Australian made with no added sugar, a five star health rating and some serious nostalgia points to boot! A perfect five star health score is as rare as hen’s teeth – especially for candy – making Valli a real hit with parents and caregivers.
The growth of Valli Snacks is a great example of seeing a gap in the market, staying true to your vision and the importance of partnering with people who really understand your brand.