This Monday, SBS’s “Memory Bites with Matt Moran” welcomes acclaimed actor Richard Roxburgh for a trip down memory lane, guided by the flavours of childhood. It’s a premise built on the simple truth that food has a remarkable power to evoke memories, and in this episode, Roxburgh’s recollections of his mother Billie’s cooking give us a look into his formative years.
Forget fancy restaurant meals; it’s the seemingly ordinary dishes that often hold the most significance. Roxburgh fondly recalls his mother’s inventive school sandwiches – creations that undoubtedly set him apart from his classmates – and a dish known as Beggar’s Chicken, which involved a theatrical presentation with a hammer, a tool Roxburgh remembers vividly from his youth.
More than just recipes, Roxburgh’s stories speak to his mother’s creativity and resourcefulness in the kitchen. It’s clear that Billie’s meals were more than just sustenance; they were expressions of love and care, shaping Roxburgh’s appreciation for food and its ability to connect us to the past.
Chef Matt Moran doesn’t just listen; he gets involved, recreating Billie’s lemon delicious pudding, serving it in the same dish that Roxburgh remembers from his childhood. It’s a touching gesture, a way to bridge the gap between past and present, highlighting the lasting impact of a mother’s cooking. “Memory Bites with Matt Moran” airs Monday, March 31 at 7:30pm on SBS.
