What if eating beef could benefit your health and the environment? In this episode, we sit down with Dean Ryan of Lake Janis Farm in Pemberton, where 100% grass-fed, grass-finished Jersey beef is grown slowly on diverse pastures in harmony with the land. Dean shares how regenerative farming boosts soil health, animal wellbeing and flavour—producing nutrient-dense beef with higher Omega-3 levels that support brain health and ageing well. We also explore his gold kiwifruit, organic avocados and ultra-white lamb, all part of a farming system designed to give back more than it takes. Follow @lakejanisfarm Instagram to discover suppliers and contact them via https://lakejanisfarm.com.au/

RECIPE OF THE WEEK - BBQ Jersey Beef , Straciatella and Roasted Tomato Toasts
Find the recipe via - https://mattersoftaste.com.au/blogs/news-and-recipes/bbq-beef-italian-toasts-and-series-one-final-podcast-episode

JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Stay curious and get involved!
Follow us on Instagram → @curiouscookspodcast
Reach out → thecuriouscookspod@gmail.com
Discover more via our webpage → https://www.kateflowerfood.com.au/thecuriouscooks

SPONSOR THANKS

This podcast is proudly supported by Urban Forager — Australia’s only certified organic stock concentrate. Shop the range and use code CURIOUS20 for 20% off aturbanforager.com.au

HOST INFORMATION

Kate Flower

Food stylist, recipe developer, and storyteller, Kate has spent over 30 years in the food industry—and the past 15 bringing dishes to life for some of Australia’s most loved brands. From the farm gate to the family table, she’s passionate about the journey of every ingredient, and how understanding that journey changes the way we cook, eat, and connect.

Instagram @kateflowerfood + Facebook @kateflowerfood

Tracey Cotterell

A professionally trained UK chef turned Perth culinary icon, Tracey has spent decades teaching more than 80,000 home cooks through her Matters of Taste cooking school, and introducing people to fresh food experiences via her Australian and international agrifood tours.

Instagram @mattersoftaste + Facebook @mattersoftaste

#TheCuriousCooks #FoodAdvocate #LocalLegends #KateAndTracey #WAPodcast#TheCuriousCooks #Wholesaleproduce #FreshProduceWA #WAFoodScene #KateAndTracey #EatCuriously #PerthPodcasts #FoodCulture #QualityProduceInternational #UrbanForager

What does it really take to get fresh food from WA growers to your dinner table? From horse-and-cart beginnings to state-of-the-art, climate-controlled trading floors, the world of fresh produce has undergone an incredible transformation — and few people have witnessed that journey more closely than Damon Watling, Director of Quality Produce International (QPI) and owner of Heavenly Strawberries.

In this episode, Kate and Tracey head deep into WA’s fresh-produce supply chain to uncover the unseen work, relationships, challenges and innovations that shape the food we buy every day. Damon shares how 500+ pre-orders roll in overnight, why grower relationships and seasonal forecasting matter more than ever, and how consumers’ stated values often differ from what actually ends up in their baskets.

We also explore:
✨ How WA growers are expanding into new growing regions
✨ Why QPI staff specialise in areas like citrus, berries and dates
✨ Surprising truths about transparency, labelling and supply chains
✨ Insight into working with the major supermarkets
✨ And why quality produce still starts with people, not systems.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Asparagus and Ricotta Tart — A delicious recipe to dive into during our WA asparagus season.

Find the recipe via - https://www.kateflowerfood.com.au/recipes

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Damon Watling
Director, Quality Produce International | Owner, Heavenly Strawberries

Damon Watling has spent his career at the heart of Western Australia’s fresh produce industry, building strong connections between growers, markets, and consumers. As Director of Quality Produce International (QPI), Damon plays a pivotal role in ensuring WA families, restaurants, and retailers have access to the very best fruit and vegetables—sourced with care, handled with precision, and delivered with integrity.

More on Quality Produce International - qpi.net.au

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Stay curious and get involved!
Follow us on Instagram → @curiouscookspodcast
Reach out → thecuriouscookspod@gmail.com
Discover more via our webpage → https://www.kateflowerfood.com.au/thecuriouscooks

SPONSOR THANKS

This podcast is proudly supported by Urban Forager — Australia’s only certified organic stock concentrate.
Shop the range and use code CURIOUS20 for 20% off aturbanforager.com.au

HOST INFORMATION

Kate Flower

Food stylist, recipe developer, and storyteller, Kate has spent over 30 years in the food industry—and the past 15 bringing dishes to life for some of Australia’s most loved brands. From the farm gate to the family table, she’s passionate about the journey of every ingredient, and how understanding that journey changes the way we cook, eat, and connect.

Instagram @kateflowerfood + Facebook @kateflowerfood

Tracey Cotterell

A professionally trained UK chef turned Perth culinary icon, Tracey has spent decades teaching more than 80,000 home cooks through her Matters of Taste cooking school, and introducing people to fresh food experiences via her Australian and international agrifood tours.

Part chef, part tour guide, and all-round fresh produce and cooking expert, she thrives on uncovering the people and stories behind great food—and sharing them with others in a relatable way.

Instagram @mattersoftaste + Facebook

#TheCuriousCooks #FoodAdvocate #LocalLegends #KateAndTracey #WAPodcast#TheCuriousCooks #Wholesaleproduce #FreshProduceWA #WAFoodScene #KateAndTracey #EatCuriously #PerthPodcasts #FoodCulture #QualityProduceInternational #UrbanForager

FOOD TRENDS – How the Hype Shapes What We Eat

Kate and Tracey are joined by PR powerhouses Pim Pattanasuk and Hannah Campbell from Media Circus Creative who live and breathe the social buzz. Together, they unpack the rise (and fall) of food trends, from viral hits like whipped coffee to the cucumber salad craze.

They explore how social media fuels the hype and manipulates what's on our plates, why authenticity is winning over perfection, and how businesses can ride the wave without losing their values. Best of all Pim, Hannah, Kate and Tracey bond over their personal food values, culture and connection!

RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Viral Cucumber Salad — It’s popular for a reason. Easy to make, versatile to use and delicious.

Find the recipe here (I'll pop the link through later today)

ABOUT OUR GUESTS
Pim Pattanasuk is the founder of Media Circus Creative, a Perth-based PR and marketing agency known for bold storytelling, standout campaigns, and big creative energy.

Hannah Campbell, Senior Account Manager at Media Circus and IGA Ambassador, brings a decade of PR experience — plus insights from her time on Big Brother and My Kitchen Rules.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Stay curious and get involved!
Follow us on Instagram → @curiouscookspodcast
Reach out → thecuriouscookspod@gmail.com
Discover more via our webpage → https://www.kateflowerfood.com.au/thecuriouscooks

SPONSOR THANKS
This podcast is proudly supported by Urban Forager — Australia’s only certified organic stock concentrate.
Shop the range and use code CURIOUS20 for 20% off aturbanforager.com.au

HOST INFORMATION

Tracey Cotterell

A professionally trained UK chef turned Perth culinary icon, Tracey has spent decades teaching more than 80,000 home cooks through her Matters of Taste cooking school, and introducing people to fresh food experiences via her Australian and international agrifood tours.

Part chef, part tour guide, and all-round fresh produce and cooking expert, she thrives on uncovering the people and stories behind great food—and sharing them with others in a relatable way.

Instagram @mattersoftaste + Facebook @mattersoftaste

Kate Flower

Food stylist, recipe developer, and storyteller, Kate has spent over 30 years in the food industry—and the past 15 bringing dishes to life for some of Australia’s most loved brands. From the farm gate to the family table, she’s passionate about the journey of every ingredient, and how understanding that journey changes the way we cook, eat, and connect.

Kate is the author of three printed cookbooks celebrating local producers under the banner A Local Table and is driven to discover the best ways we can eat for both enjoyment and health.

Instagram @kateflowerfood + Facebook @kateflowerfood

#TheCuriousCooks #FoodAdvocate #LocalLegends #KateAndTracey #WAPodcast#TheCuriousCooks #FoodTrends #SocialMediaFood #WAFoodScene #KateAndTracey #EatCuriously #PerthPodcasts #FoodCulture #MediaCircusCreative #UrbanForager

#TheCuriousCooks #FoodAdvocate #LocalLegends #KateAndTracey #WAPodcast#TheCuriousCooks #Wholesaleproduce #FreshProduceWA #WAFoodScene #KateAndTracey #EatCuriously #PerthPodcasts #FoodCulture #QualityProduceInternational #UrbanForager