**A Greek and English swear warning in this episode***

If you’ve watched or listened to Australian prime-time news any time in the last 30 years, it’s likely you’ll recognise the face and voice of our guest in this episode of Three Food Memories. 

And if you’ve watched social media at any time in your life, it's likely you'll have heard her swearing in Greek too.

Chris Bath has been in the media since 1988, but it was working as a waitress in a Surry Hills restaurant (that later turned into a leather bar) that brought her to our screens.  

Direct from her Bird-Nerd Farm in the lower Hunter Valley, hear how growing up with Maltese mates fuelled a desire to see (and eat) the world, how mutual love of a spicy condiment made her fall in love with her husband Jim, the truth behind the infamous Greek swearing that went viral…and how the phrase became useful later on! 

Bathie’s social cause is Birdlife Australia - you can find out more here: birdlife.org.au

A risotto with farm greens is on it’s way to our next guest (coming soon in Season 6)

We'll be back October 1 - put it in your diaries! 

To find out more about the project and Savva - head to threefoodmemories.com
Insta - @savvasavas
Email us at threefoodmemories@plated.com.au, we'd love to hear from you!

In this episode of Three Food Memories we’re graced with a voice that is nothing short of sublime - it is as beautiful as it is haunting, and resonant with the echoes of a thousand ancestral stories.

Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO, is a luminous star in the constellation of classical music — an opera singer, composer, artistic director, and professor. Music runs in the family, she’s the niece of music legend Jimmy Little and her grandfather was a talented gum leaf player, who performed at the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Hear Deborah’s musings on the restorative benefits of chicken soup, how seeing Dame Joan Sutherland perform in The Merry Widow as a school kid completely changed her life, what it was like to connect with her Aboriginal heritage and the joy of finding her biological family, competitive Christmas trifle making, and how Bar Italia in Leichardt may receive an operetta in it’s name one day soon. 

Deborah’s social cause is truth telling - she believes it’s the foundation of any society that’s going to remain cohesive. She says “the truth makes us stronger, even if it causes us pain in the moment of knowing”.

She pays forward a steak with red wine jus, asparagus and creamy mash to our next guest Chris Bath. 

For more information on Short Black Opera Company and Dhungala Children’s Choir head to shortblackopera.org.au. 

To find out more about the project and Savva - head to threefoodmemories.com
Insta - @savvasavas
Email us at threefoodmemories@plated.com.au, we'd love to hear from you!

In this episode of Three Food Memories you’ll meet the snazzy, jazzy creator of social media hit sensations; Boomer Dad, drag queen Satty Faction, 80s mum, Dion the policeman, and 90s intermediate school kid. He’s also the writer, director and lead star in horror movie Loop Track, as well as the writer and creator (and ALL the character voices) in the comedy crime podcast Small Town Scandal. 

As they say on his side of the pond: Thomas Sainsbury is a “hard case”. He's also got the biggest sweet tooth in all of New Zealand, going by the amount of Cadbury Creme Eggs he demolished as a youth. 

Tom’s social cause is SAFE - New Zealand’s leading animal rights charity, and he passes forward vegan lasagne to our next guest.

You can catch him in September performing in The Children of Secret Valley. 

To find out more about the project and Savva - head to threefoodmemories.com
Insta - @savvasavas
Email us at threefoodmemories@plated.com.au, we'd love to hear from you!

For comedian Geraldine Hickey, meal times were very Aussie. Dinners were spent sitting in a line with her five siblings along a long kitchen bench, with Mum on a stepping stool on the other side. The meals were simple fare, meat and three veg and spaghetti bolognese made with canned tomato soup and onion soup mix. And although they might have been plain, they were delicious. Almost as delicious as the dim sims from the truck stops where she stopped while keeping her truck driver Dad company on interstate trips. 

Join Savva and Gez as they chat all things comedy, twitching, Girl Guides, and the love of her life, Cath - who hates coriander.

1800myoptions.org.au is Geraldine’s social cause, they can help if you’re looking for contraception, pregnancy options, abortion and sexual health services in Victoria. 

She’s serving good old vanilla icecream and canned peaches to the next guest on Three Food Memories. 

To find out more about the project and Savva - head to threefoodmemories.com
Insta - @savvasavas
Email us at threefoodmemories@plated.com.au, we'd love to hear from you!

It’s a long ‘un but a good ‘un! 

In this episode of Three Food Memories, you’ll meet one of the world’s most distinctive artists and illustrators. 

You may not know his name, but you’ll most certainly recognise his style. 

Robert Risko’s artistic journey started at age 10, when he entered a drawing competition at a local department store. His easter bunny winning him first place, and a shiny new bicycle.

Since that defining moment, he’s gone on to grace the pages of Rolling Stone, The New Yorker, and Vanity Fair, where he caricatured the most famous of celebrities for more than four decades. 

Known for his retro style, his iconic cartoons blend humor and sharp observation with paper-cut wit, as does this conversation with Savva where he reflects on his journey, life in 80s New York, and how no steak was safe in his mother’s kitchen. He also has an uncanny premonition about the upcoming US presidential election. 

Robert’s social cause is the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation, and he pays forward a slice of J’s Pizza to our next guest Geraldine Hickey.  

This episode was recorded on the 10th of July. 

To find out more about the project and Savva - head to threefoodmemories.com
Insta - @savvasavas
Email us at threefoodmemories@plated.com.au, we'd love to hear from you!

Mohsin Zaidi is the author of the prize-winning coming-of-age memoir, A Dutiful Boy. 

Growing up in a religious household in a poor suburb of London, as a teenager Mohsin had a life-changing moment: watching two men kiss on TV. 

This screen snog set the stage for Mohsin to see himself for who he was. These days we find Mohsin content and happy at the table of his life, but the struggle between now and said kiss was real. 

Now, living in New York with his husband, Mohsin chats with Savva about all things food, faith, and family, and how sometimes one can be used against the other. 

His memories capture the festive joy of Eid, forcing himself to eat pork, the best Pakistani restaurant in London, and how salmon and salad just doesn’t cut it against the soul-satisfying depths of the herbs and spices of his cultural heritage. 

Mohsin’s social cause is The Opportunity Network, which ignites the drive, curiosity, and agency of under represented students on their paths to and through college and into thriving careers.

To find out more about the project and Savva - head to threefoodmemories.com
Insta - @savvasavas
Email us at threefoodmemories@plated.com.au, we'd love to hear from you!

In this live episode of Three Food Memories thanks to our friends at VBO Australia, Savva chats with the coolest of cats Yasmine Ghoniem, director and founder of multi-award-winning interior design studio YSG. 

A childhood jet setter, Yasmine is a human visual-verbal of her heritage (for those not in the art space, read: mood board). The child of an Australian mother and Egyptian father, her formative years were spent living between Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Sydney.

Tonight she shares food memories from Kenya and Egypt, as well as a myriad of striking and colourful stories from her life, throwing as much boldness, texture, and warmth to her audience as she does her designs (oh, and a little swearing too - a warning if you’ve got littlies or people not partial to cussing around).

Yasmine's social cause is Barnados Aboriginal Cultural Unit initiative Gurung Wellama. 

To find out more about the project and Savva - head to threefoodmemories.com
Insta - @savvasavas
Email us at threefoodmemories@plated.com.au, we'd love to hear from you!

That's it for season four of Three Food Memories. Savva's off to take a short break and catch some sun before returning for season five where you'll hear from designer Yasmine Ghoniem, Vanity Fair's Robert Risko, author and lawyer Mohsin Zaidi, as well as legendary newsreader Chris Bath. 

In the meantime don’t forget to check out the back episodes. Get cooking with Stephanie Alexander, Nat's What I Reckon and Christine Manfield, have a lol with Sam Simmons, Bianka Ismailovski, and Jennifer Wong, and your art and architecture fix with Ken Done, Sally Scales, and Tim Ross. 

There are more than 40 episodes to check out so that should keep you busy till we're back on July 23rd. 

Can't wait to see you then! 

To find out more about the project and Savva - head to threefoodmemories.com
Insta - @savvasavas
Email us at threefoodmemories@plated.com.au, we'd love to hear from you!

Welcome to the very first ever, TFM art art-show…

This episode was recorded at Saint Cloche Gallery in Paddington thanks to the wonderful Kitty Clark, where artists Evi O, Toni Clarke, and Daimon Downey shared their art alongside their food memories in front of a live audience.

Oxtail Ragu, Rocket Pasta, and Rice Pudding were on the menu, as were plenty of laughs and insights into the minds and workings of Evi, Toni and Daimon. 

As Evi says “How you treat a piece of meat shows a lot of you. When you go to showing love, a piece of meat goes a long way”...so get stuck in! 

Social causes of the artists are; 

Evi O - Indigenous Literacy Foundation and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy

Daimon Downey - Moss Foundation and Sydney Children’s Hospital

Toni Clarke - Medecins San Frontiers (Doctors Without Borders) 

***This podcast episode references drug use. If you need support please contact drugaware.com.au***

To find out more about the project and Savva - head to threefoodmemories.com
Insta - @savvasavas
Email us at threefoodmemories@plated.com.au, we'd love to hear from you!

Bianka Ismailovski is a force to be reckoned with. At the age of 34 she’s got the introspection of a 74 year old. But don’t let that put you off…or the fact that she’s been sober for 5 years either. 

Bianka’s newly discovered independence after divorcing at the age of 30 came with a free set of steak knives - in the form of a self-awakening; about body image, sexuality, and uncovering pleasure. All alongside finding the funny side of life as a stand-up comedian. 

Her food memories take us to Croatia where she spent final moments with her Dad at the age of 9 - to Wedge Island in WA and dancing around the kitchen as a teenager eating pasta snacks with her best friend. 

Listen in as Savva and Bianka chat life, sex, fragility and all the things it takes to be human in this episode of Three Food Memories. And as Bianka says “Don’t outsource the job of loving yourself to someone else, they’re never going to be able to do it as well as you can do it.”

Bianka’s social cause is Dangerous Females - who raise money for Australian services that prevent and support people who are victims of abuse, assault, and domestic violence. These services provide a range of support to our communities from women’s shelters, advocacy, domestic violence counselling and community education, emergency safety planning and re-homing from violent situations.

​

You can follow Bianka on TikTok and Instagram @biankaismailovski

This episode is produced and edited by Lauren McWhirter 
Original music by Russell Torrance

To find out more about the project and Savva - head to threefoodmemories.com
Insta - @savvasavas
Email us at threefoodmemories@plated.com.au, we'd love to hear from you!

Daniel Principe is a youth advocate and consent educator. Daniel has spoken to more than 55,000 students at more than 250 schools around Australia about creating spaces to champion boys into becoming good men. 

The saying “boys will be boys”, can be traced back to ancient Roman times. Essentially society has been saying some form of this for at least 2,500 years. This dated idiom is working against us.

Yet, we still hear it. We hear it at the same time as we see the number of women being killed by a current or former intimate partner increase.

So how do we stop the violence? For Daniel, the answer is simple. Start young…take our boys on journies of self-discovery and show them the benefits of being decent, safe, respectful, courageous, empathetic, kind - to think of other than self. 

Daniel’s social cause is an end to the exploitation and abuse of children. 

He’s also an ambassador for Consent can’t wait. 

This conversation discusses domestic violence - if this triggers something for you or you need help please contact 1800 737 732 

To find out more about the project and Savva - head to threefoodmemories.com
Insta - @savvasavas
Email us at threefoodmemories@plated.com.au, we'd love to hear from you!

“ I like to make paintings to give people pleasure.”

Just as the late Bill Granger exported Australian food culture to the world, Ken Done’s bold and colourful brush strokes spread the essence of Australia and Australians; creative, optimistic and bold.

There’s a bit of Ken Done iconography in every Australian home, if not our psyche.

In this episode of Three Food Memories, Savva sits with Ken at his gallery in The Rocks, at a paint-spattered and well-worn wooden table, Ken’s hands reflecting the same aesthetic.   

Lobster, treacle sandwiches, and a surprisingly chewy green jelly are on the menu - as are his reflections on childhood by the Clarence River and six-year-old hysterics at a floating latrine during a flood.

UNICEF is Ken’s social cause. He spent over 35 years as the Australian National Ambassador, campaigning for the rights of children around the world.

This in-person episode of Three Food Memories with Ken Done is with great thanks to the team at the Ken Done Gallery.

To find out more about the project and Savva - head to threefoodmemories.com
Insta - @savvasavas
Email us at threefoodmemories@plated.com.au, we'd love to hear from you!

When you think of career changes let me assure you this one probably takes the cake for the most unusual and unexpected.

Renae Bunster went from interviewing stars such as Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Valentino Rossi, Johnny Depp, and Angelina Jolie, to creating a worldwide hit condiment that you can put on almost anything.

She's the global president and founder of Bunster’s Worldwide - whose best-selling chilli sauce Shit the Bed has topped the Amazon US charts multiple times. 

Renae chats with Savva about her time on Food Stars with Gordon Ramsay, how carrots changed her life, her experiences with crowdfunding, goji berries, salad, realising that she’d used all the postage money for the sauce making the sauce, and how all the stories in her life somehow come back to poo. 

Renae’s social cause is Girls Not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage. Because as she says, child marriage is legalised paedophilia and robs young girls of any chance of a life. 

***This conversation discusses suicide around the 33 - 35 minute mark. If this triggers anything for you please call Lifeline on 13 11 14***

To find out more about the project and Savva - head to threefoodmemories.com
Insta - @savvasavas
Email us at threefoodmemories@plated.com.au, we'd love to hear from you!

Tim Ross is a man of many talents - one of which is talking, but his love for mid-century modern architecture has taken pride of place since his former life as one half of the legendary radio duo Merrick and Rosso. Like a modern-day indoorsy Paul Hogan, there’s something about Tim Ross’s  Australian sensibilities that we connect to. He makes us feel Australian without the Southern Cross tattoo. 

Tim is the recipient of the National Trust Heritage Award for Advocacy regarding Australia’s legacy of modernist architecture; of an Australian Institute of Architects National President’s Prize for activism and outstanding contribution to the profession; was a National Architecture Awards jury member and is an honorary Institute member.

His three food memories are a hit of 80s nostalgia with the bonus of pineapple (of course) and revolve around memories of the food his mum cooked when he was a teenager. Tim's memories are full of surprising and incredible stories about his parents - his mum was a GP and his dad a pharmacist (and lunchtime nudist). 

Tim’s social cause is the Aboriginal Legal Services NSW / ACT. He says it’s an inconvenient truth to find out what we learned in school wasn’t the full history of our country and it’s going to take us a long time to understand the landscape in the way that we should. We have to listen to Indigenous Australians.  

This episode was recorded live at the Poliform showroom in Sydney. 

TFM is produced and edited by Lauren McWhirter
Original score by Russell Torrance

To find out more about the project and Savva - head to threefoodmemories.com
Insta - @savvasavas
Email us at threefoodmemories@plated.com.au, we'd love to hear from you!

In this once-in-a-lifetime experience, Savva sits down with the incomparable Stephanie Alexander AO, at her home in inner-city Melbourne.

Stephanie's impact on Australian cooking is nothing short of legendary. Her books read like culinary poetry, enticing readers with every page turn, but her influence extends far beyond the kitchen. From professional chefs to home cooks, her work has woven itself into the fabric of Australian culture and into shaping today's youth with her Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation.

Share the moments that shaped Stephanie’s passion for food; from her formative years in the kitchen with her mum, to the UK, France and back again, her experiences are second to none. 

Stephanie has lots to be grateful for, but as she says “be prepared to listen and to compromise”. 

Please enjoy listening as much as Savva enjoyed spending time with Stephanie. 


(p.s. there was an incident of sorts where Savva's microphone didn't work, so he was speaking into his phone and so he sounds a bit funnier than usual. Please excuse him, it will never happen again.) 

To find out more about the project and Savva - head to threefoodmemories.com
Insta - @savvasavas
Email us at threefoodmemories@plated.com.au, we'd love to hear from you!

The name Jo Malone is synonymous with posh fragrances and fancy candles.

But there’s so much more to Joanne Lesley Malone CBE than meets the nose! 

In this episode of Three Food Memories recorded in Sydney, Savva chats with Jo about her formative years, becoming a global name in perfume (not once, but twice), surviving breast cancer after a nine-month diagnosis, how food and scent are intertwined through her life, and how she was once asked to leave a fancy restaurant for being too tipsy! 

Jo’s positivity and love for life breathe through this conversation, because as she says “I’ve got to live my best life, otherwise what did I fight for?” 

Her social cause is Magic Breakfast who make a difference to over 200,000 young people every day by offering breakfasts and expert advice to tackle morning hunger in schools across England and Scotland. 

To find out more about the project and Savva - head to threefoodmemories.com
Insta - @savvasavas
Email us at threefoodmemories@plated.com.au, we'd love to hear from you!

In this episode of Three Food Memories Savva chats with brilliant author and journalist Johann Hari. 

Johann’s books Chasing the Scream, Lost Connections and Stolen Focus have transcended borders, languages, and bestseller lists. His latest book, Magic Pill: The Extraordinary Benefits and Disturbing Risks of the New Weight Loss Drugs is out May 7th.

Unsurprisingly, Johann’s food memories are life-defining and themed (hello KFC) and they link his issues with food and weight from childhood through to adulthood as he discusses the fascinating insights from his research into obesity and the science behind weight loss drugs such as Ozempic. 

This conversation deals with some heavy topics, but also his love for Gabor Maté and Guy Pearce, and as you’ll know if you listened to the teaser - there’s some swearing. So listen with headphones (or other people who drop the f-bomb on the reg). 

Johann’s social cause is getting processed food out of our diets, as he remarks after telling the story of dancing with a 102-year-old woman “This is what you win when you sort out the obesity crisis. You get to live so much longer!”

To find out more about the project and Savva - head to threefoodmemories.com
Insta - @savvasavas
Email us at threefoodmemories@plated.com.au, we'd love to hear from you!

***WARNING: Johann says the c-word five times in a minute, probs best not to play at work (unless you work with people like us who swear a lot), or around children***

Context to this story:
At the beginning of our conversation, producer Loz mentioned to Johann that her husband had been listening to an episode of The Imperfects podcast where Johann was a guest. Loz's husband came home from work just before they were about to record with Johann and said "Just so you know - Johann swears a lot, he even says the c-word".

Loz told this to Johann, and this anecdote ensued...

You can catch the FULL episode with Johann Hari first thing Tuesday morning the 30th of April. 

To find out more about the project and Savva - head to threefoodmemories.com
Insta - @savvasavas
Email us at threefoodmemories@plated.com.au, we'd love to hear from you!

We're taking a short break before returning with season four on Tuesday the 30th of April with New York Times bestseller Johann Hari. 

Put it in your diary because we’ll back it up with Tim Ross, Ken Done, Jo Malone, and Australia’s most adored cook, Stephanie Alexander too.  

In the meantime don’t forget to check out the back episodes - sing along with Natalie Imbruglia and Jessie Ware, get your paint on with Sally Scales and Michael Zavros, and laugh your head off with Kathy Lette, Melanie Tait and so many more. 

P.S.  You’ve still got time to vote for Three Food Memories to be included in the SXSW Sydney festival this October – sxswsydney.com 

To find out more about the project and Savva - head to threefoodmemories.com
Insta - @savvasavas
Email us at threefoodmemories@plated.com.au, we'd love to hear from you!

For more than twenty-five years, Pia Miranda has been a household name, gracing screens big and small with her talent. From her iconic role in Looking for Alibrandi, she’s also won Survivor, sung in a mask, danced with the stars, had two children with a husband she adores, and released her memoir Finding My Bella Vita.  

In this episode of Three Food Memories, Pia opens up about her experiences on set, from being pushed as a young actor to creating a safe space for those fresh to the industry. She also shares an “interesting” two-ingredient salad recipe, the origins of her surprising love of Melbourne Bitter, and fond memories of lining up with cousins à la Oliver Twist for her Nanna’s lamb shank soup. 

Pia’s social cause is Dolly’s Dream, because as she says “Not everyone has the capacity to be resilient, what we should do is change our behaviour so everyone can feel included.”

Find out more about Dolly’s Dream and Do it for Dolly Day here: dollysdream.org.au

Produced and edited by Lauren McWhirter
Music by Russell Torrance

To find out more about the project and Savva - head to threefoodmemories.com
Insta - @savvasavas
Email us at threefoodmemories@plated.com.au, we'd love to hear from you!

In this episode of Three Food Memories, Savva dives into the life and times of the incredible Yumi Stynes.

From Yumi’s upbringing in regional Victoria to adventures in the wilderness, she shares her love of boarding school (but not the jelly, Linda!), the secret ingredient in her homemade granola (trust us, it's a game-changer), as well as the family recipe that’s not quite as exotic as she originally thought.

Yumi’s a passionate advocate for sex and health education for young people; in this episode, we hear Yumi's social cause first and the reasons behind creating the Welcome To series of books. 

Jump in and explore the multifaceted world of Yumi Stynes and her reflections on how living life in and out of the hotpot has helped her build strength, resilience, and a mindful approach to dialogue.

Produced and edited by Lauren McWhirter
Original score by Russell Torrance

To find out more about the project and Savva - head to threefoodmemories.com
Insta - @savvasavas
Email us at threefoodmemories@plated.com.au, we'd love to hear from you!

Comedian, writer, broadcaster, and self-professed food enthusiast, Jennifer Wong is Savva’s guest on this episode of Three Food Memories.

Jennifer is so enthusiastic about food she’s visited every state and territory of Australia to hunt down the best Chinese restaurants.

But let it be known that the “food thing” didn’t come naturally to her. The making part of it anyway. As you’ll discover, the pressure of delivering a tasty snack to her school-yard cohort didn’t quite cut the mustard.

Jennifer’s social cause is Welcome Merchant, a social enterprise with a mission to champion the voices of entrepreneurs & artists who identify as a refugee or as a person seeking asylum in Australia. 

You can find out more about Jennifer, upcoming shows, books, and all the things here - jenniferwong.com.au

Produced and edited by Lauren McWhirter
Original music by Russell Torrance

To find out more about the project and Savva - head to threefoodmemories.com
Insta - @savvasavas
Email us at threefoodmemories@plated.com.au, we'd love to hear from you!

Sean Szeps is a fascinating American with the most excellent hair.

Don't be put off by the accent, Sean has hosted Aussie podcasts such as Come Out Wherever You Are and boasts a legion of followers on his Instagram account @SeanSzeps. If you’re a parent, you’ll want to follow this for some guaranteed laughs.

Sean is also the author of Not Like Other Dads, his memoir about reinventing the rules of parenting. Settle in as he shares how Thai cuisine blew his mind, the hilarious trials of dining out with kids, and how he honed his kitchen skills from the tender age of three. 

Surrogacy is Sean’s social cause, and he’d like the Australian government to understand the importance of surrogacy for those struggling to conceive from all walks of life.

This episode was recorded on January 25th, in Sean's kitchen. 

To find out more about the project and Savva - head to threefoodmemories.com
Insta - @savvasavas
Email us at threefoodmemories@plated.com.au, we'd love to hear from you!

It’s a bonus mini episode! Huzzah!
 
Sam Simmons wanted to ask Savva a few questions, so here they are. 

Find out what’s in Savva’s bag of shame, how he gets the kids in the kitchen, why eating alone is worse than not eating and the objects you should never swallow, ever.


Produced and edited by Lauren McWhirter
Original score by Russell Torrance

To find out more about the project and Savva - head to threefoodmemories.com
Insta - @savvasavas
Email us at threefoodmemories@plated.com.au, we'd love to hear from you!

Self-described as talky, writery, clowny, actory, you may know Sam Simmons from his award-winning comedy, being a regular on triple j back in the day, and his podcast Niche as Quiche. 

Quite the enigma, hear Sam postulate on the idea of a vegan meat eater, and why when he travels all he’s concerned about is “How the f*ck do I cross the road? And can I eat that?”

Oh and because he’s such a crazy cat,  in this episode, you’ll hear five food memories, including - but not limited to; his love of offal, how a cardamon pod blew his mind as a kid, and how the memory of microwaving chops will forever make him gag.

Sam’s social cause is Indigenous recognition in Australia and believes The Voice to Parliament was a missed opportunity. 

**Swear warning: if you’re offended by the f-bomb, please squint your ears**


Produced and edited by Lauren McWhirter
Original score by Russell Torrance

To find out more about the project and Savva - head to threefoodmemories.com
Insta - @savvasavas
Email us at threefoodmemories@plated.com.au, we'd love to hear from you!