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This month, we continue to celebrate cultural diversity during “Tastes of Harmony” – Australia’s largest celebration of cultural diversity through food. To celebrate and acknowledge Taste of Harmony, the VFMA features different producers who celebrate culture through food production throughout April.
Meggs, the Market Manager at Tallarook and Lancefield Farmers Markets has nominated The Meat Room, owned and operated by James and Kathy Mele, for this week's Spotlight.
Located at Kilmore East on the Peri-Urban Fringe of Melbourne, they have an extensive market garden and retail store PROVIDORE. The store features great local produce and an amazing range of salami, baked treats, authentic sourdough, and focaccia. The Meat Room (TMR) is a small-batch Salami Specialist that uses delicious free-range pork sourced from locally grown pigs.
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James is passionate about meat and travels to meet farmers, producers, and fellow foodies. He is anatical about traditional Italian food. Many an hour has been spent with his extended family learning the art of salami and sausage making and mastering passata, pizza, and winemaking.
James’s passion and dedication to his craft have earned TMR’s Fennel Salami and Zincgara Salami Silver Medals at the Australian Food Awards 2019. The Mild, Mild Pistachio, Prosecco, Fennel, and Calabrese Salamis each won GOLD at the AMIC Australian Charcuterie Excellence Awards in 2022, with the Fennel Salami also winning the Overall Category Champion.
 
James constantly seeks to master and build on his skills while striving to innovate. He frequently travels locally and internationally to Italian food festivals to uncover new ways of preserving, preparing, and cooking. James is passionate about sharing his knowledge. Throughout the year, The Meat Room presents several classes so that you and your friends can learn and master skills in Italian traditions.
Join one of TMR’s classes to learn everything you ever wanted to know about sausage making or butchering. More information, including how to book and when classes are happening, is available in TMR’s classes section on their website.
You can enjoy all the amazing produce from THE MEAT ROOM at VFMA Markets and via their shop Providore. Opening hours for Providore and Market locations are posted on their Facebook Page.
vfmaauthentic, #fromtheheartofthefarm, #farmersmarketsareessential.#farnersnarketsaresustainable
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