The Hills are alive …
Edit 14. Sammy + Bea, Dandenong Ranges.
Sarah’s love of good food is the driving force behind her brand, Sammy + Bea—a range of ready-made meals created with real ingredients and packed with flavour, not numbers. Having grown up in a gluten-free household in the 1980s, often eating very average-tasting food, Sarah set out on a mission: to make delicious food for everyone, food that nourishes people, brings them joy, and is good enough to eat every day.
Sarah’s career as a chef has spanned decades. She began in the fast-paced culinary scene of Melbourne’s CBD, spending time working at the iconic Florentino’s before eventually seeking something different. Drawn to a more connected and community-focused environment, Sarah transitioned to the hills, where she worked at local institution @thegeneralfoodstore It was there that she discovered her love for connecting with people through food.
Later, while working @official_billsofbelgrave Sarah noticed that for many people cooking had become daunting, with ready-made sauces often the easiest way to put a meal together. Initially, she set out to help by teaching people basic cooking skills through her “All Seasons Cooking Classes.” But when COVID made running classes difficult, Sarah pivoted.
That pivot became Sammy + Bea. Inspired by the idea of creating meals that were healthy, vegan, gluten-free and full of flavour, Sarah developed a range designed for busy people who still care about what they eat. As she puts it: “Quick meals for busy people—amazing sauces for amazing people.”
Sammy + Bea products are available online at www.sammyandbea.com and Sarah also loves bringing them to local markets. “I love the people, the customers and the stallholders. Everyone is passionate about food, produce and quality, and there’s a real sense of community.”
You can visit Sarah this weekend at @thelostwoodsmarket market, and follow along @sammyandbea_ for market schedules and her “Use It Up” series, full of tips for making the most of what’s already in your fridge.
