Former AFL star, Daniel Motlop, has taken out the National NAIDOC Innovation award for his mission to bring Native Australian ingredients back to the food and wine industry.
A self-proclaimed foodie, Daniel is the General Manager and part-owner of SA based Indigenous Food and Beverage company, Something Wild, which specialises in Game Meats and Native Greens.
He has also developed and established premium distillery, Seven Seasons Spirits, using Native Australian ingredients to give consumers a taste of the “world’s oldest new flavours”.
You can get a taste of Something Wild at Adelaide Central Market, which stocks wholesale and retail seasonal fruits, herbs, spices and condiments as well as Aussie game meats, like Kangaroo, Venison, Wild Boar, Camel, Buffalo, Crocodile and Goat.
Daniel’s extensive knowledge of the unique Native ingredients has put Something Wild at the forefront of Indigenous food, while providing positive opportunities and outcomes for rural Indigenous communities.
His hopes are that the current trend spotlighting Indigenous food will help build a sustainable industry that is respectful and beneficial to Aboriginal communities & traditional landowners.
The proud Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander is passionate about promoting the ethical, sustainable and permitted use of native Australian ingredients, with a focus on engaging and supporting Indigenous foragers and suppliers and educating consumers on the ethical harvesting of these products.
In addition to working with native ingredients, Daniel has developed a community of First Nations harvesters which crucially allows for industry, and consequently economic development, to be established on country for the benefit of local Aboriginal people.
Most ingredients are wild harvested, with Daniel providing job opportunities to First Nations people, and just as importantly, keeping age-old traditions alive by introducing them to a new generation.
“We want to get to a stage where native ingredients are like regular fruit and veg,” he said.
“I believes that there’s space in every Australian household for ingredients that have sustainably nourished Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for thousands of years.”
For a taste of some of Something Wild, Daniel and the team will be dishing up a Native treat in the Worlds on Fire section at Adelaide Beer and Barbecue Festival from July 14 to 16 – with Smoked Crocodile Sausage, Pickled Beach Succulents and Wild Buffalo Curry featuring on the menu.
Something Wild
Where: Adelaide Central Market
For info: Click here