PLATED: Three food memories

Jessie Ware, singer, songwriter & podcaster

The truly fabulous diva Jessie Ware joins host Savva Savas to talk about her life, music and, of course, fabulous food!

London has spawned a cornucopia of talent and another on its legendary list is Jessie Ware, the singer, songwriter and award-winning podcaster, whose slices of life delight millions of admirers.

Her deep love of family and sense of connection emanate from her Jewish roots – and that background supplies an extensive menu of physical and emotional nourishment. Like the bowls of ice-cream topped with cream her mother would tempt her with if she was upset as a child. And the traditional chicken soup, that traditional food for the soul, which takes centre stage on the Jewish table.

Alongside her witty and wonderful mother, Lennie, cooking for and eating with an A-list of celebrities through their hit podcast Table Manners has become yet another career milestone for Jessie.

But Jessie’s busy life also includes a cause that is dear to her heart. She is a patron of Apples Honey Nightingale House, a unique childcare centre that it offers “intergenerational” experiences where the children interact with the residents of an aged care home. This is an environment of nurturing and learning through the warmth of human empathy and has inspired other childcare and aged care centres to do the same, bringing hope for a better, kinder world.

 

This episode is produced by Weld Stories

Daniel and Luke Mancuso, Yiayia Next Door

Daniel and Luke Mancuso join host Savva Savas to talk about the three women who have made them who they are today, their food memories and “Yiayia” – the Greek neighbour who shone light at a time of unfathomable darkness.

When domestic violence took the life of their mother, Theresa, the lives of Daniel and Luke Mancuso were left in turmoil. But their Greek neighbour, Nina, known as Yiayia (meaning Grandmother), helped ease the agony with an abundance of love and comforting home-cooked meals. The boys’ relationship with Yiayia grew as they shared meals, memories and hope for a brighter future.

Daniel and Luke have three women who have influenced their lives and inspired them to always be empathetic and deliver acts of kindness. They are grateful to them, too, for the food memories they gave and continue to give. Their mother, a devoted and unselfish woman, whose delicious rack of lamb with jam and lunchbox treats brought joy. Their mother’s mother, Nonna Rosa – the strongest woman they know – who makes pizzas from scratch, epic crowd-pleasing lasagnes – and even her own salamis. And, of course, the unforgettable Yiayia, whose “plates of glory” became a social media sensation when the brothers set up an Instagram page displaying her delicious acts of kindness.

Now Daniel and Luke have launched Yiayia Next Door, a social enterprise aimed at encouraging people to “love thy neighbour” just as Yiayia did, and to inspire people to create safe communities and put an end to domestic violence.

But that’s not all. With Yiayia, they have compiled a book of her much-loved recipes, a full menu of food from the heart and soul.

 

This episode is produced by Weld Stories

Kathy Lette, author, TV presenter, travel writer, deranged mum of two & frazzled feminist

Kathy Lette joins host Savva Savas to talk about friends, feistiness and feminism. Oh, and food, of course!

Her humour and astute observation on all it is to be human is legendary. The celebrated author and commentator has lived her life in the spotlight since the age of 17, when she co-wrote Puberty Blues – the iconic Australian novel about teenage angst in the 1970s surf scene.

Now aged 63, with a string of successful books and countless media appearances behind her, Kathy shares a rollicking ride through her colourful life so far. 

While not a cook herself, Kathy appreciates that food offers more than physical nourishment. It nourishes the soul, too. As it did in her childhood when her mother’s warm cupcakes on a Saturday afternoon embraced her in her family’s love. And now, the riotous feasts with the great minds of our times that leave her invigorated and inspired. 

As she says, “You can see the one thing I don’t eat are my words!”

Kathy is an eternal inspiration to women – and, yes, even some men – everywhere. But behind the laughter, there is also a serious side. As the mother of an autistic child, her social impact organisation is the National Autistic Society in the UK. (There are several Australian autism organisations including Autism Spectrum Australia, Autism Awareness Australia  and the Australian Autism Alliance. 

 

This episode is produced by Weld Stories

 

Season 2: Coming soon!

Ding ding ding! PLATED: Three food memories is back. Host Savva Savas shares some of the guests who will be joining him at the mics for season 2. 

Joy Jobbins, 94

Joy Jobbins, 94, joins host Savva Savas for this special and final episode of PLATED: Three food memories season one.

As the former head of advertising for The Australian Wool Board, a working mother of five, an author and the daughter of George Malcolm, a pioneer in the Australian film industry, Joy has lived a fascinating life due to her motto of always saying “yes”. In fact, it's worth noting she still drives herself to work four days a week.

From food memories during the depression, long advertising lunches filled with martinis, margaritas in Mexico, a bowl of bananas in Los Angeles, interactions with the likes of prolific photographer Helmut Newton and acting legend Laurence Olivier... and that's just to name a few.

Joy's social impact organisation of note is the Defence Community Dogs program, which improves the lives of veterans experiencing PTSD, with all dogs trained at correctional centres. 

 

This episode is produced by Weld Stories

Yvie Jones, Media personality

The hilarious Yvie Jones hit our screens on Gogglebox Australia between 2015 and 2018 with her best friend Angie Kent, and has been making us laugh ever since. In 2019, the duo appeared on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! with Jones coming second in the series. A regular panellist on Studio 10 and The Project, Yvie and Angie launched the podcast Two Girls One Pod in 2021.

Yvie shares three food memories with her friend and host Savva Savas, one from an unforgettable childhood lunch, a grandmother's recipe and a sandwich that always reminds her of her mum.

Yvie's social impact organisation is the Butterfly Foundation, which provides support for eating disorders and body image issues.    

 

This episode is produced by Weld Stories

Sally Scales, artist & leader (Part two)

This is the second part of the interview with Sally Scales, an artist at the APY Art Centre Collective and a leader on the Uluru Statement. Listen to part one first where Sally shares food memories from her parents, from the APY Lands and abroad.

The incredible APY Art Centre Collective is Sally's social impact organisation of note. 

 

This episode is produced by Weld Stories

Sally Scales, artist & leader (Part one)

Sally Scales, an artist at the APY Art Centre Collective and a leader on the Uluru Statement, shares food memories from her parents, from the APY Lands and abroad.

Sally's discussion with host Savva Savas was such a generous and in-depth recording that we're sharing it in two parts.

The incredible APY Art Centre Collective is Sally's social impact organisation of note. 

 

This episode is produced by Weld Stories

Garry McDonald AO, actor

Hold onto your hats as National Living Treasure Garry McDonald AO joins Savva Savas for PLATED: Three food memories. The actor shares a range of food anecdotes (way more than the brief), including his deep love for Chinese food, restaurant memories across Asia, pulling Norman Gunston out of a bag when necessary, plus his long appreciation for the shared experience of food and family. 

Garry talks candidly about his mental breakdown, involvement with Beyond Blue and his ongoing concern about the servicemen and women who experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 

The current state of television in Australia, plus Garry's review of the ABC series Fires and The Newsreader is also covered. 

 

This episode is produced by Weld Stories

Lisa Havilah, CEO, Powerhouse Museum

Lisa Havilah joins Savva Savas on 'PLATED: Three food memories' and finds it impossible to stick to the brief... Instead the CEO of the Powerhouse Museum shares various food experiences that have shaped her, from her rural upbringing, her time at Carriageworks and abroad. (Ants feature more than once!)

Lisa's social impact organisation of choice is Addi Road - Australia's largest non-profit community centre.    

 

This episode is produced by Weld Stories