Regional Heroes



Peter Howard



Recently I wrote about Rick Bakas who is one of  the new social media heroes. While it's fun to talk about the latest new hero, it is less frequent to celebrate those that have come before us - quite an Australian thing to do really.  When I think hero I don't look to the TV, I look to the hard workers behind the scences: Peter Howard and Alison Alexander.

Peter has been a great champion of food and wine for decades, running cafes, catering companies and even an impressive stint as TV celebrity chef for the 'Today' morning show during the 80's. But it's Peter's involvement in education that has been his enduring contribution to the Australian industry.

Alison Alexander

In the 70's Peter was a teacher at the North Ryde TAFE and has generated an enormous catalogue of text books and consumer cooking books to inspire and encourage hands-on participation. After 30 years of TV, exhibitions and food shows Peter is finally retiring. It seems impossible to me to have a food or wine show without Peter. After all Peter gave me my first medal back in 2002 at the Australian Specialty Cheese Show and he has been there ever since.

 

I love characters like Julia Child's; brave forerunners of the crowd. Alison Alexander, a champion of Queensland food, is one of these forerunners.

 

She has done everything in food and relentlessly cajoles government to support regional food and wine: and succeeds. A tireless leader, I love how strong she is both professionally and personally. She challenges others to be that committed to excellence as well, and often fills me with fear if I don't meet the mark. Alison's most notable leadership is in the production of the Queensland Masterclass now in it's 15th year. Most importantly though, she tried my very first batch of cheese before anyone else(nearly s**t myself that day).

 

 

After being in the business for 20 years, do I have another 20 years in me - hope so, good examples have been set.

PS: Alison is pictured with me in the Masthea. This photo was taken at the Royal Brisbane Show in 2007
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