FROM FARM TO FORK: Spring Plains grazier serves up delicious local lamb on national TV with celebrity chef

Spring Plains farmer Ben Watson was the pride of the Wee Waa district last week when he treated the hosts of The Morning Show to a sensational paddock-to-plate experience, promoting our local produce and sharing his passion for life on the land with a national TV audience.

“The farm gate is always open for anyone who wants to come up and visit,” Ben warmly told Channel 7’s The Morning Show hosts Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies.

“When you go to the butcher, number one is to definitely ask for Australian produce,” said Ben. “That’s the number one take home here. We’ve got some of the cleanest, greenest farmers in the world with really strict policies, and we’ve just really got to support Australian farmers.”

Ben’s own homegrown lamb from Allabah Pastroal Co. took centre stage thanks to an exciting collaboration with one of The Morning Show’s regular guest chefs – Arrnott Olssen of My Kitchen Rules and Popstars fame. (Yes, the man can sing as well as cook! He’s also an advocate for men’s health.)

Boujee but scrumptious curried lamb sausage rolls were on the menu for Arrnott and Ben’s TMS cooking segment, with a Fiji twist, a hit of spice and a side of good, entertaining chat.

“Hey Ben, they don’t get this fancy with the sausage rolls in Wee Waa?,” asked host Larry Emdur.

“Nah, it’s a standard rat coffin from the local bakery,” responded Ben, as the hosts broke out into fits of laughter. “Yeah, lamb sausage rolls don’t exist. We go with the more traditional lamb roast or the crumbed cutlet out of the hot box,” added Ben.

Host Kylie Gillies chimed in, “A rat coffin? ..Love it!”.

Host Larry: “What do you think of this flash makeover?”

Farmer Ben: “It’s very good. He (Arrnott) has added some nice spices. We’re pretty traditional out there with the roast leg of lamb on a Sunday …try and have enough left over for cold meat sandwiches, which is a pretty important staple.”

Offering a good dose of fresh country air and plenty of flavour, Ben’s sense of humour and enthusiasm for all the wonderful things rural Australia has to offer proved to be popular with the hosts. Watching on, The Morning Show presenters were clearly fans of Arrnott’s farmer sidekick for the segment (wide-brimmed hat and all), with host Kylie Gillies giving Ben a friendly introduction, affectionately referring to him as “Sheep farmer Ben ‘Fridge’ Watson”.

The former Tamworth local and journalist also nailed the pronunciation of Wee Waa – much to the delight of everyone watching back home.

Many readers would remember chef Arrnott Olssen from last year’s Narrabri food festival Nosh, where he was a crowd favourite.

Driven to educate city folk (and more) about the origins of their food as well as show off all the goodness grown right here in Australia, Arrnott has launched his latest project -‘Meet the Producer’. The series aims to champion Aussie growers and offer the ultimate farm-to-fork celebration, with a series of pop-up dining events set to recognise farmers and share the stories while people enjoy dining on their produce, prepared by the talented Arrnott.

When Arrnott announced Spring Plains’ Ben Watson would be his first guest, he said: “A sixth-generation farmer, lamb enthusiast, and a man who takes taste-testing very seriously. We are pumped to work with amazing Australian producers like Ben and infuse Fijian flavours into these delicious products to create dishes that we know you will all love,” wrote Arrnott on his social media pages for The Kana Club pop-up.

“It’s my way of connecting my Fijian flavours and cooking methods with incredible Australian produce, and honouring the hands that raise it. Because great food doesn’t start in the kitchen. It starts on the land.”

Ben praised Arrnott for his efforts to bridge the city-country divide through such a positive and engaging project, creating connections through his love of sharing good food in great company.

“I think with generations before us, the city was always connected with the country because someone had a cousin or an uncle and they could go up and visit,” Ben told The Morning Show.

“But I feel as though in our generation, the gap is widening – so it’s really important with Arrnott saying – righto, we know where our food comes from but I feel so many people in the city don’t – so I really think it’s important to join those gaps because it’s pretty special what we get to do out there.”

After an action-packed morning on national television, Arrnott and Ben teamed up for the first ‘Meet the Producer’ event and delivered a fabulous evening, which was extra special because it was Arrnott’s birthday.

Allabah lamb, fresh from the plains, was back on the menu and was thoroughly enjoyed by the Sydney locals and supporters who attended the dinner and soaked up the opportunity to hear Ben’s story, chat with him and wife Katie about country life, and ask Arrnott more about his mouth-wateringly tasty culinary skills.

“A room full of stories, food, and connection. Last night was more than just a pop-up. It was the beginning of something I’ve dreamed about for a long time — bringing you closer to the people behind our food,” wrote Arrnott on his social media pages after the event.

“Standing in the kitchen during prep, talking with Ben Watson about his family’s farm, then serving his lamb just hours later… it reminded me why The Kana Club exists. To connect land, story, and plate.

“So grateful to Ben Watson for trusting me with his produce and sharing his story.

“To chefs Yuko and Miguel, the incredible bar manager and wait staff at Deus Ex Machina, and to every single person who bought a ticket and showed up with open hearts.

“What a special way to celebrate my birthday. This is only the beginning. The next ‘Meet the Producer’ is coming.”