Food News – Gifts

Chocolates and flowers are both nice gifts, but nothing says that you care quite like…  pie! In keeping with my desire to buy local, artisan and stick to things that people need this season, Pie Society caught my eye. Founder Emma Bagnall tells me the inspiration “was born from the idea that as a society we want to look after each other, but we don’t always have the time”. Their family-size golden, butter pastry pies arrive stuffed with natural and free-range ingredients, inside an insulated box. With flavours like spring lamb; chunky beef, bacon and vegetable; and mushroom and cheese, there’s something for everyone. For a seasonally appropriate gift, their turkey and cranberry pie will set you back $25. You can ensure your lucky gift recipient gets a complete meal by throwing in mash and mushy peas ($6 apiece). My office was particularly impressed with the popular $12 add-on of six American-style chocolate and raspberry brownies.
www.piesociety.com.au

And we’re talking about buying local, Hellyers Road Distillery, the people I credit with starting me on my own whisky journey, have released the Hellyers Road 12 Year Single Malt Whisky [RRP $99.50]. It’s the latest, well-priced offering from the Tassy-owned and operated subsidiary of Betta Milk. It’s grassy and biscuity, with a hint of vanilla; gentle but it’ll still cope with a splash of Fevertree ginger ale if you fancy a longer drink. Wouldn’t mind a bottle myself…
www.hellyersroaddistillery.com.au