Italian-born Stefano de Pieri has put together a new series all about food and farmers in the Murray-Darling Basin called Australia's Food Bowl with Stefano de Pieri.
Premiering on May 27 at 7.30 pm on SBS Food, Mr de Pieri said he would be introducing viewers to river communities, including First Nations people and farmers.
“The area to the north-west of Victoria, where the Murray meets the Darling River, is one of the most productive areas in Australia,” he said.
“I’ll create some beautiful and simple dishes that celebrate our region.”
Featured on the 10-part series is Australia’s most successful olive oil producer, First Nations women sharing a smoked Murray cod recipe and a sheep farmer who has struggled through zero water allocations.
The water crisis will be explored in the food show as Mr de Pieri talks to multiple farmers across the region.
SBS commissioning editor of food Josh Martin said it was wonderful to have Mr de Pieri back on the screen.
“Fans of A Gondola on the Murray will delight in seeing again the warmth and passion Stefano exudes for great food and quality produce, but no doubt he’ll win over a new generation of fans,” Mr Martin said.
The issue of eating sustainably and exploring the challenges farmers face will be at the heart of the series.