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Face of food

South Australia is endowed with gastronomic pleasures and part of what makes the state's food special is the people who create it.

These women and men have made food their life and business and most importantly, are doing it with passion and skill. They are the custodians of tradition and inventors of the future of South Australia's food industry.

Ian Young, Mexican Express

Ian Young

Managing Director, Mexican Express

Ian Young and his Mexican Express food business is perfecting the ‘gobble to go’ concept. Ian Young is nothing if not adaptable.  More...
 Lisa Rowntree, Olives SA

Lisa Rowntree

Chair, Olives SA

Olive industry stalwart Lisa Rowntree has found her niche in family, farming and olives. More...
 Lester Marshall, Coffin Bay Oyster Farm

Lester Marshall

Owner, Coffin Bay Oyster Farm

It’s hard not to blush as Lester Marshall earnestly describes his spawnless oyster brands. First, there’s the delicate and petite Cupid, a firm and plump little morsel ripe for the picking. More...
 Roger Drake, Drake Supermarkets

Roger Drake

Owner, Drake Supermarkets

Roger Drake’s entry into the world of supermarket retailing was anything but encouraging. “I applied for a job at Woolworths and the manager bluntly told me that I wasn’t suited to retail,” he recalls with a laugh. More...
 Darren Thomas, T&R Pastoral

Darren Thomas

CEO, T&R Pastoral

With quiet pride, Darren Thomas leans back in his armchair and slowly works his way through T&R Pastoral's achievements. But not for a second is this 35-year-old CEO seeking self-praise. More...
Terena Blanton-Downs

Terena Blanton-Downs

Managing Director, Cocolat

Terena Blanton-Downs’ philosophy of ‘using the best ingredients and then doubling all the good bits’ is paying sweet dividends for her Cocolat chocolate empire. More...
Angelo Kotses, Managing Director Bickford's Australia

Angelo Kotses

Managing Director, Bickford's Australia

With tongue firmly in cheek, Angelo Kotses says it has taken fifteen years of persistence and hard work for Bickford’s Australia to become an overnight success. More...
Simon Bryant

Simon Bryant

Executive Chef, Hilton Adelaide

Hilton Adelaide Executive Chef and co-presenter of the ABC'sThe Cook and the chef Simon Bryant is a passionate advocate of South Australian produce. More...
Maurice Crotti

Maurice Crotti

CEO, San Remo Macaroni Company

San Remo is one of the State’s major value added food producers and a local, national and international leader in its field. More...
Kris Lloyd

Kris Lloyd

Woodside Cheese Wrights and Cheese SA

A talented and creative producer of cheese – and a passionate advocate for the speciality cheese making industry in South Australia. More...
Tim and Glenn Cooper

Tim and Glenn Cooper

Dr Tim Cooper, Managing Director and Glenn Cooper, Executive Chairman and Marketing Director, Coopers Brewery Ltd

Dedication to quality, innovation and community underpin the success of the affable Coopers family and their iconic South Australian Coopers Brewery. More...
Michael Angelakis

Michael Angelakis

Managing Director of Angelakis Brothers

Walk into the office of Michael Angelakis and the framed certificates and commendations are everywhere. More...
Margaret Lehmann

Margaret Lehmann

Founding Chair of Food Barossa and the Regional Food SA Cooperative Ltd

It would have been easy for Margaret Lehmann to slip into a low-profile role as supportive wife when she married winemaker Peter and moved to the Barossa Valley. More...
Clifford Ashby

Clifford Ashby

Managing Director, Yandilla Park Limited

For South African-born Clifford Ashby, his move to regional South Australia was an unusual stepping stone in a career as a corporate accountant. More...
Willa Wauchope

Willa Wauchope

Willabrand, Director

Willa has become Australia's flag-waver for the fig, single-handedly dragging the ancient fruit back into fashion and introducing it to a new generation of food lovers. More...
Pip Forrester

Pip Forrester

Chair, Fleurieu Food and General Manager, Chapel Hill Winery Gourmet Retreat

Pip was the previous owner of the Salopian Inn at McLaren Vale, one of Australia's first regionally focussed restaurants. More...