2020 BackSA Gift Guide

T here’smore to celebrate than usual this Christmas,” say s Jessie Spiby. It’s not just because the celebrity chef and café owner is due to give birth to her first child onDecember 24, but also a recognition of the year that’s been. “Here in South Australia, we’re really good at supporting one another and that’swhywe’vemade it through such a tough year.” Jessie has invited a cast of South Australian foodies to share a special Christmas-themed lunch at Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard; around the table are food blogger Jacqui Lim, cheesemaker Kris Lloyd , Indigenous food supplier and owner of SomethingWild, Daniel Motlop, vegetable farmer Kasim Erkoc of K&RProduce , and Jonathon Kaitatzis, co-owner of market and events space Plant 4 Bowden. Playing host alongside Jessie are winery owners Sharon Pearson andGarry Sweeney, and their head chef AdamBowden, who co-executed themenu. As the guests settle down at the laden table, Jessie explains that today is all about celebrating seasonal SA produce. For example, the heirloom tomatoes in the salad have come fromKasim’sMurray Bridge farm. “How great is it to be eating so close towhere the food came from?” exclaims Jonathon. Given supporting local producers is a key theme for Jessie and Adam ’ s menu, the conversation naturally turns to the subject of community spirit in 2020. Kris explains that her business, WoodsideCheeseWrights, was still recovering frombushfires when the pandemic hit, which forced her to throwout two thirds of her stock. But, encouraged by local support, she created a new cheese and also launched a cheese-delivery service. The bushfires also threatened Sharon andGarry. “We lost a lot of property in the region but we were very lucky,” says Garry. “Peoplemade an effort straightaway to come and support us.” Jessie Spiby hosts a festive lunch for foodie friends in the Adelaide Hills — and serves up some tasty inspiration for your Christmas celebrations. Let us EntertainYou “ 2  'TIS THE SEASON TO BACKSA