Ep 3. Episode 3

Food Safari is back and exploring the rich culinary traditions of Australia. In season 3, episode 3, we travel to the country's southern region to discover the delicious food and drink of Tasmania.

Tasmania is known for its pristine landscapes and pure ingredients, which makes it a culinary wonderland. Host Maeve O'Meara meets with local chefs and food producers to learn about the island's unique cuisine.

The episode begins with a trip to the Salamanca Market in Hobart, where locals gather to buy and sell fresh produce, seafood, meats, and artisanal foods. Maeve meets with a variety of vendors, including a mushroom farmer, a cheese maker, and a fishmonger. Each vendor shares their knowledge of their products and tells Maeve how they incorporate local ingredients into their cooking.

Next, Maeve visits the whisky distillery of Tasmania's most famous export, Lark Distillery. She learns how they source the ingredients for their award-winning single malts and gets a behind-the-scenes look at the distilling process. She also samples some of their finest whiskies and learns about the best way to enjoy them.

Moving on to food, Maeve visits the home of Chef Rodney Dunn in the town of Birchs Bay. Rodney is the former food editor of Australian Gourmet Traveller and author of the cookbook The Agrarian Kitchen. He invites Maeve into his home kitchen to make a dish he calls "oysters with a sense of place." He explains how the cold, pristine waters of Tasmania give the oysters a unique flavor and texture.

In Launceston, Maeve meets with a local chef who is preserving the flavors of Tasmanian Aboriginal cuisine. She learns about the traditional ingredients used by Aboriginal people and how they are incorporated into contemporary dishes. Maeve also discovers how the Aboriginal people used fire to cook and preserve their food.

Later, Maeve explores Tasmania's dairy heritage with a visit to Pyengana Dairy Company. She learns about their 130-year-old cheese-making method and samples their award-winning cheddar. She also meets with a local farmer who supplies milk to the dairy and learns about the importance of sustainable farming practices.

Finally, Maeve visits a Tasmanian vineyard to learn about the island's burgeoning wine industry. She meets with a winemaker who shares his passion for the grape and explains how Tasmania's unique terroir produces exceptional wines.

Throughout the episode, Maeve showcases the incredible flavors of Tasmania and the passionate people who bring them to life. She inspires viewers to explore the island's culinary treasures for themselves and to appreciate the importance of local, sustainable food production.