MEET THE PRODUCERS
Lizzie and Gianluigi Buscaino,
Piccolo FarmPiccolo Farm, Thirlm, Thirlmere, NSWere, NSW
The story starts with a chef The story starts with a chef
(Gianluigi) and a waitress (Gianluigi) and a waitress
(Lizzie) who fall in love and (Lizzie) who fall in love and
dream about living on a farm dream about living on a farm
and growing food to feed their and growing food to feed their
family. Fourteen years on, and with only three years’ family. Fourteen years on, and with only three years’
farming experience under their belts, the Buscainos farming experience under their belts, the Buscainos
are being fêted by leading chefs after winning a top are being fêted by leading chefs after winning a top
produce award for their pasture-raised quail. Neither produce award for their pasture-raised quail. Neither
Gianluigi nor Lizzie had previous farming experience Gianluigi nor Lizzie had previous farming experience
before starting Piccolo Farm, so named because it is before starting Piccolo Farm, so named because it is
tiny (two hectares), in Thirlmere — a peri-urban area tiny (two hectares), in Thirlmere — a peri-urban area
south of Sydney, where they live with their children south of Sydney, where they live with their children
Lukas, six, and Georgia, three. During their 18-month Lukas, six, and Georgia, three. During their 18-month
quest for a farm, the couple researched commercial quest for a farm, the couple researched commercial
ventures. The suggestion to raise quail came from ventures. The suggestion to raise quail came from
Grant Hilliard of Sydney’s ethical butchery Feather Grant Hilliard of Sydney’s ethical butchery Feather
and Bone. “Our relationship is instrumental,” says and Bone. “Our relationship is instrumental,” says
Lizzie. “They understand the feasibility of small-scale Lizzie. “They understand the feasibility of small-scale
farming and their promotion of us is invaluable.” Eggs farming and their promotion of us is invaluable.” Eggs
are incubated and hatched on the farm. The quail — a are incubated and hatched on the farm. The quail — a
pretty and curious ground-dwelling bird — live in netted pretty and curious ground-dwelling bird — live in netted
tunnels that are moved regularly. Farming organically tunnels that are moved regularly. Farming organically
and transparently is important to the couple. “Food and transparently is important to the couple. “Food
shapes our lives,” says Lizzie. “It’s tangible and very shapes our lives,” says Lizzie. “It’s tangible and very
rewarding to produce food for yourself and others.”rewarding to produce food for yourself and others.”
Piccolo Farm: 0481 113 395 or piccolofarm.com.au; Piccolo Farm: 0481 113 395 or piccolofarm.com.au;
Feather and Bone: featherandbone.com.auFeather and Bone: featherandbone.com.auMAIN PHOTOGRAPHGETTY IMAGES, CRAIG WALLMAIN PHOTOGRAPHGETTY IMAGES, CRAIG WALLBOOKS BOOKS
FOR COOKS FOR COOKS
KIDS IN THKIDS IN THE E
KITCHKITCHENEN
For Donna HFor Donna Hay, introducing ay, introducing
little people to the wonders little people to the wonders
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thing. thing. Basics to Brilliance Basics to Brilliance
Kids Kids (H(HarperCollins, $45) arperCollins, $45)
—— which accom which accompanies her panies her
Foxtel TV show —Foxtel TV show — is full of is full of
step-by-step recipes young step-by-step recipes young
chefs will adore, and they’ve chefs will adore, and they’ve
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basics, with lots of roombasics, with lots of room for for
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US cook, restaurateur and US cook, restaurateur and
author Alice Wauthor Alice Waters has had aters has had
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restaurant she opened in 1971 restaurant she opened in 1971
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undoubtedly an inspiration undoubtedly an inspiration
for our very own Stephanie for our very own Stephanie
Alexander Kitchen Garden Alexander Kitchen Garden
Foundation. In Foundation. In ComComing to Ming to My y
SensesSenses (H (Hardie Grant Books, ardie Grant Books,
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BERRIES
There was a time when the
mulberry was ubiquitous in
our backyards and, as a kid,
you’d fill up on the flavourful
black fruit when it was ripe
and sweet. You’ll occasionally
see purple, red — which is
more tart — and even white
mulberries in greengrocers
at this time of year. Either
relive childhood experiences
and gorge, or make them into
a syrup to drizzle over fruit
salad, pavlova or ice-cream.BARBARA SWBARBARA SWEENEENEY SHEY SHSHARESARES SWARES SWSWEETEET TIPS EET TIPS TIPS
FOR MFOR MUULBERRIES ANLBERRIES ANANDD FLORAL HD FLORAL HFLOR ALHONEY.ONONEY.EY.flavours
PURE GOLD
The focus at Tasmania’s
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single floral honey —
leatherwood is a mainstay.
They don’t use heat when
jarring the honey, so it stays
close to its natural state.
wellingtonapiary.comLe Creuset’s new ‘Marine’ collection
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Signature round casseroles from
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Heart of Glass C i t t à’snew ‘Glow’ tumblers in rose and iron blue add a refreshing hint of
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110 COU NTRY ST Y LE NOVEMBER 2017