Snowgoose and Giovanni Pilu Wish you a Cherry Christmas with Exclusive “Pilu’s Sardinia by Snowgoose” hamper

Australian foodies, gastronomes and gourmets rejoice! Coming together for the first collaboration of its kind, premium hamper company Snowgoose and hatted chef of 10 consecutive years, Giovanni Pilu, are joining forces to offer an exclusive and unique hamper experience this Christmas - guaranteed to get even the most avid of foodies salivating.

“Pilu’s Sardinia by Snowgoose” delivers a delectably different hamper experience and a completely unique gift this Christmas. Teeming with gourmet ingredients available exclusively from award-winning restaurant Pilu at Freshwater, lucky recipients of this hamper will relish in the enjoyment of world-class ingredients used at one of Australia’s most acclaimed restaurants.

Exclusive Pilu produce is combined with the finest tasting seasonal fruit and vegetables handpicked from Snowgoose orchards and under the expert guidance of renowned farmer John Antico AM, Member of the Order of Australia. Add in a signed copy of Pilu’s bestselling “A Sardinian Cookbook” and “Pilu’s Sardinia by Snowgoose” hamper delivers all you would need for the perfect Sardinian Christmas feast.

“’Pilu’s Sardinia by Snowgoose’ hamper is a collaboration based upon our mutual obsession for sourcing exceptional quality ingredients from small batch producers,” said John Antico, AM, and Head of Farming and Produce Quality at Snowgoose.

“We’re delighted to bring you a hand-picked selection of produce from Giovanni’s award-winning restaurant, together with his bestselling A Sardinian Cookbook and our finest orchard-fresh fruits. When you are wondering what to buy this Christmas for the person who has everything, then this never before offered hamper is it,” said Mr. Antico.

“This hamper is a true culmination of Australia’s leading artisan growers and providers,” said Giovanni Pilu. “It’s an extremely unique experience with Pilu products traditionally only available in my restaurant now being delivered to your door.

“When Snowgoose approached me I saw this as a wonderful opportunity to bring this best in quality produce to home cooking. I hope there will be many Australians cooking a delicious Sardinian family meal this Christmas!” said Pilu. 

Packed carefully and expertly with wood wool in an extra-large 46cm x 36cm wooden box, exquisite farm-fresh Snowgoose and Pilu produce will move from orchard to doorstep in less than 48 hours, delivering only the finest tasting seasonal fruit and hand-selected gourmet produce.

“Pilu’s Sardinia by Snowgoose” Box Contents:

Giovanni Pilu signed and award winning cookbook, "A Sardinian Cook Book". Also a bonus Pilu recipe - to be made from box contents – of Pilu’s elegant signature main course dish - Spaghetti alla Bottarga.

Pilu Bottarga – a delicious salty fish roe very popular in Sardinia, often referred to as “the caviar of the South”. Using 100% Australian mullet roe, Giovanni Pilu presents his exquisite Bottarga used in dishes on his Pilu at Freshwater menu. Bottarga is an Italian delicacy of Sardinian and Sicilian origin.

Cacciatorino al Cannonau – Giovanni Pilu’s salami is produced in Byron Bay by his Sardinian friend, Massimo Scala. The range uses only Kurobuta Berkshire Pork infused with a variety of traditional Sardinian liquors and wines, resulting in an outstanding flavour profile. Cannonau is Sardinia’s most important red grape variety with sweet raspberry and blackberry fruit, hints of chocolate, warm spice and earth characters. The infusion of this wine into the Kurobuta Pork brings a banquet of delectable savoury flavours.  

Salamino al Mirto - Using the traditional bitter Sardinian liquor Mirto rosso, this gourmet salami is infused with the flavour of berries from the myrtle tree.

Pilu Extra Virgin Italian Olive Oil – Made from Australian grown Italian and Mediterranean olive varieties and blended for balance and harmony with great fruit aroma. The Pilu blend has an aroma of green bananas with good fruit follow-through on the palate a hint of green apples, mixed salad leaves with a very soft pepper finish. The Pilu at Freshwater extra virgin olive oil has been made especially for Giovanni Pilu by Rylstone Olive Press.  

Giovanni Fabbri Spaghetti - Produced in Italy for over 100 years with traditional methods to ensure that attention to detail and quality is maintained in every batch, every year.  Fabbri pasta has so much taste and a wonderful texture.           

Mezza Pecorino - Mezza comes from Australia's only pure East Friesian working sheep dairy, Pecora Dairy. This single origin milk creates a stunningly complex pecorino style cheese. Inspired by the great semi-hard cheeses of the Basque region, Mezza is hand crafted by Cressida and Michael McNamara. In its last three months of aging, this cheese transforms, developing powerful flavours of grass, nuts and caramel emerging from a creamy, yet firm paste.   We are thrilled to offer Mezza in Snowgoose, collated by the esteemed Pilu at Freshwater restaurant.

Carta di Musica - This beautiful traditional Sardinian bread is handmade using artisan techniques. In Italian, carta di musica means music sheet - the name bestowed on this bread because it’s so thin that you can read a sheet of music through it.

Pala Silenzi Bianco Isola dei Nuraghi IGT, Sardinia Italy – A light, summery, easy-drinking white wine to accompany any light seafood dish or antipasto.

Freshest seasonal produce from Snowgoose including delicate zucchini flowers, grape tomatoes, chilli, parsley and mixed fruit including renowned super-sized, Snowgoose cherries.

Priced at $300 + delivery and available today to customers in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, “Pilu’s Sardinia by Snowgoose” hamper can be ordered at www.snowgoose.com.au or by calling 1800 803 570.

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About Snowgoose:  Long before farmers’ markets existed, Snowgoose was filling its rustic wooden boxes with the finest tasting seasonal fruit. Under the expert guidance of John Antico AM, its exquisite farm-fresh produce moves from orchard to doorstep in less than 48 hours, delivering only the finest tasting seasonal fruit and hand-selected gourmet produce to customers across Australia.  

For 60 years John Antico has united industry pioneers with a shared passion for unrivalled quality and authentic food. Over time, John has become heavily involved in key industry task forces and government committees, as he was keen to share his knowledge and passion. In 1989, The Queen’s Birthday Honours List awarded John a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM) and in 1999 The Australian Institute of Export nominated and awarded John The Export Hero Award for export achievements in the industry.

“Pilu’s Sardinia by Snowgoose” hamper and the full range of Snowgoose’s ‘Gift of Taste’ hamper collection are available at www.snowgoose.com.au or by calling 1800 803 570.

About Giovanni Pilu: Giovanni Pilu is the Executive Chef and owner of Pilu at Freshwater which was recognised in the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide as ‘Best New Restaurant’ in its first year of opening and has received two chef’s hats every year since then. Born in Sardinia, Giovanni began his culinary career in Italy and was always destined to cook. Arriving in Australia in 1992, aged 20 and full of enthusiasm and passion for the unique flavours of his homeland, Giovanni has forged a successful career on the belief that Sardinian cooking should involve simple ingredients, prepared with minimum fuss, allowing the full flavour of the ingredients to speak for themselves.

Giovanni is the elected President of the Council of Italian Restaurants in Australia (CIRA) and is passionate about encouraging young chefs to learn true Italian cooking. His first book – A Sardinian Cookbook - was released in August 2012 and was the only Australian cookbook to make the 2013 list of finalists in the prestigious IACP Cookbook Awards, and was successful in winning the People’s Choice Award.

About Pilu of Freshwater: Pilu at Freshwater is an award winning Italian restaurant, proudly receiving two chef's hats in the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide for its 10 consecutive years since opening. The menu is typically Sardinian using the best of local, seasonal ingredients and the highest quality products imported from Italy. Traditional Italian and Sardinian fare is the focus, updated using modern techniques. Sardinian cooking is steeped in history and influenced by many nations and civilizations including the Arabs, Phoenicians, Romans and Spaniards.  Meat, cheese and pasta are the staples of Sardinian cooking although seafood is also very popular.