Darren Crocker is a very busy man. He's about to coach the Australian women's AFLW team in its first-ever match against Ireland, he's soon to begin the AFLW season as head coach of the back-to-back winning Premiers North Melbourne and he's about to reveal whether his kitchen skills match his record breaking coaching skills in a most entertaining episode of Food Bytes with Sarah Patterson.  In Darren's first ever food interview, he admits the barbecue is his happy cooking space. He recalls fond childhood memories of cleaning his plate each night and confesses to having a very, very sweet tooth.  Darren is loving his role at North Melbourne and shares his thoughts on the women's game and how it is making him the coach he wants to be. We also take Darren back 30 years to his role in the Kangaroos' 1996 AFL premiership win.        And to finish this episode we squeeze some sardines into a tin and pose the Food Poll question - tinned sardines: Is it a yay or a nay?      Presented by Sarah Patterson & Kevin Hillier Broadcast each Sunday on the ACE Radio Network - https://aceradio.com.au/ Catch us also on: Radio 2DD - Easy Listening - On Line - https://www.2dd.online/ Follow us on Facebook...https://www.facebook.com/foodbyteswithsarahpatterson/ Twitter & Instagram - @sarahfoodbytes Producer - Steve Visscher  © 2026 Howdy Partners MediaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Synonymous with the long running and hugely popular ABC television series Spicks and Specks, Alan Brough makes his podcast debut with us. Of all the podcasts in all the world, he chose Food Bytes with Sarah Patterson to be his foray into the podcast world. What could possibly go wrong? Actually nothing, as Alan is a most entertaining guest and takes us through some very funny recollections from Spicks and Specks, including day one at Ripponlea. There's also some not so fond memories of the 'food' from his boarding school days, a beautiful dinner party guest list and a litany of embarrassing television moments.  Then it's hands on buzzers for the Food Poll. Are you going Weet Bix or Nutra Grain in this breakfast cereal bunfight?    Presented by Sarah Patterson & Kevin Hillier Broadcast each Sunday on the ACE Radio Network - https://aceradio.com.au/ Catch us also on: Radio 2DD - Easy Listening - On Line - https://www.2dd.online/ Follow us on Facebook...https://www.facebook.com/foodbyteswithsarahpatterson/ Twitter & Instagram - @sarahfoodbytes Producer - Steve Visscher  © 2026 Howdy Partners MediaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He is one of Australia's best-loved performers, and whether he is singing, dancing, hosting, acting or plumbing, Shane Jacobson is a rare talent and always has plenty on his plate. Which begs the question: Why would he buy a pub in regional Victoria? Well, he did, and the new owner of the Dederang Hotel in the Kiewa Valley joins us (after an eight year break) to share the story of 'Oops I bought a Pub,' his latest television and entrepreneurial adventure. In true Shane style, it is a hell of a good yarn.  No hefty power or gas bills were harmed in the making of the Food Poll again this week as yet another uncooked delicacy is put to the test: Steak tartare ... are you for or against?      Presented by Sarah Patterson & Kevin Hillier Broadcast each Sunday on the ACE Radio Network - https://aceradio.com.au/ Catch us also on: Radio 2DD - Easy Listening - On Line - https://www.2dd.online/ Follow us on Facebook...https://www.facebook.com/foodbyteswithsarahpatterson/ Twitter & Instagram - @sarahfoodbytes Post-production by Chris Gates  for Howdy Partners Media  © 2026See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At Food Bytes we don't stocktake, we take stock of the wonderful array of guests we have had on the show since the start of 2026. Sir Ian "Beefy' Baron Botham kicked off the year in style and he is a fitting opener for this EOFBY Special - End of Financial Food Bytes Year. Get it!?  Whilst 'goddess' is not a royal proclamation, there is no doubt it sits perfectly well with Effie, who regaled us with hilarious anecdotes of the changes happening in her life in a most revealing chat. Finally, an icon of Australian televison jourrnalism - Steve Liebmann, the original Today Show host. A man who has seen and been a part of some of the most important news events in modern history.  What an episode.  A knight, a goddess and an icon. All that is missing is something to eat. How about raw fish? The Food Poll delivers ,with your yay or nay vote for sashimi.    Presented by Sarah Patterson & Kevin Hillier Broadcast each Sunday on the ACE Radio Network - https://aceradio.com.au/ Catch us also on: Radio 2DD - Easy Listening - On Line - https://www.2dd.online/ Follow us on Facebook...https://www.facebook.com/foodbyteswithsarahpatterson/ Twitter & Instagram - @sarahfoodbytes Post-production by Chris Gates  for Howdy Partners Media  © 2026See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Series 3 of Stuff the British Stole is about to hit our screens and its creator Marc Fennell - host of the television show, the podcast and author of the book - is our guest this week. Marc travels the globe in search of the these amazing stories and he shares some of his fascinating discoveries - especially about tea drinking - in between chatting about slow cooked lamb shoulder, the importance of rice cookers and what people yell at him in the street.        Kevin is excited that his favourite biscuit, the Mint Slice, is front and centre in the Food Poll this week. His thousand How To Vote Cards are coming but alas,voting has closed. Will it be a yay or a nay?      Presented by Sarah Patterson & Kevin Hillier Broadcast each Sunday on the ACE Radio Network - https://aceradio.com.au/ Catch us also on: Radio 2DD - Easy Listening - On Line - https://www.2dd.online/ Follow us on Facebook...https://www.facebook.com/foodbyteswithsarahpatterson/ Twitter & Instagram - @sarahfoodbytes Post-production by Chris Gates  for Howdy Partners Media  © 2026See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

George Shevtsov is an acclaimed Australian television, film and theatre actor best known for roles like the History Man in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and as radio DJ Ken Sherry in Love Serenade. The latter is one of Sarah and Kevin's all-time favourite Aussie films and it is a treat to chat to George about this classic movie on its 30th anniversary. The Ken Sherry character has been variously described as a brooding, self centured, yet charismatic big city radio announcer who somehow finds himself working on a little station in a Victorian country town. The classic 'big fish, little pond' scenario. George shares his memories of the film he describes as an Australian masterpiece - and a whole lot more.      The star of the Food Poll this episode are those salty little critters we know as capers. Which side of the fence do you sit on? Is it a yay or a nay?        Presented by Sarah Patterson & Kevin Hillier Broadcast each Sunday on the ACE Radio Network - https://aceradio.com.au/ Catch us also on: Radio 2DD - Easy Listening - On Line - https://www.2dd.online/ Follow us on Facebook...https://www.facebook.com/foodbyteswithsarahpatterson/ Twitter & Instagram - @sarahfoodbytes Post-production by Chris Gates  for Howdy Partners Media  © 2026See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daniel Motlop was a very exciting footballer to watch during his playing days for North Melbourne and Port Adelaide, where he clocked up 130 AFL games. Post footy, Daniel has found a new calling and, through his businesses, is combining native ingredients,  indigenous skills, cultural knowledge and traditional methods with modern eco-friendly technology to produce some amazing food and beverage products for us to enjoy. Daniel takes us inside the development of products like his Green Ant Gin and the benefits his venture is bringing to traditional communities. Plus, we find out about his cooking skills and reminisce about his AFL days.  The Food Poll is timely, tasty and testing. As we prepare for those cold wintry nights, would you go the vegie curry or the curried snags?   To discover more about Daniel Motlop's Seven Seasons visit www.seven-seasons.com.au.  Presented by Sarah Patterson & Kevin Hillier Broadcast each Sunday on the ACE Radio Network - https://aceradio.com.au/ Catch us also on: Radio 2DD - Easy Listening - On Line - https://www.2dd.online/ Follow us on Facebook...https://www.facebook.com/foodbyteswithsarahpatterson/ Twitter & Instagram - @sarahfoodbytes Post-production by Chris Gates  for Howdy Partners Media  © 2026See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian netballer Sophie Garbin is one of the elite players in the world game, but as the designated BQ (Baking Queen) of the Melbourne Vixens, her responsibilities go way beyond her GA (Goal Attack) duties on court.  Sophie gives us the lowdown on the sweet treats that fire up the reigning national netball champions and we discover some fascinating insights into the Australian Diamonds' dining habits on the road. Plus, there's a shock revelation about the team's coffee culture.  The squeeze is on for the Food Poll again this week as we ask whether you are a yay or nay for the much-undervalued balsamic vinergar glaze.         Presented by Sarah Patterson & Kevin Hillier Broadcast each Sunday on the ACE Radio Network - https://aceradio.com.au/ Catch us also on: Radio 2DD - Easy Listening - On Line - https://www.2dd.online/ Follow us on Facebook...https://www.facebook.com/foodbyteswithsarahpatterson/ Twitter & Instagram - @sarahfoodbytes Post-production by Chris Gates  for Howdy Partners Media  © 2026See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melanie Lionello has just released a beautiful and very practical book called 'Easy Italian Dinners from My Little Kitchen' (Murdoch Books) and we are delighted to have her on the show to talk about the 101 recipes between the covers. We explore Melanie's wonderful Italian family traditions which introduced her to a lifetime passion for quick, cheap, easy, healthy and delicious meals.   We indulge in some sweet treats, a hearty winter pasta and a kitchen tip or two.   Our weekly Food Poll is a blast from the past. Remember Cottee's Ice Magic? But in 2026 are you a yay or a nay? Presented by Sarah Patterson & Kevin Hillier Broadcast each Sunday on the ACE Radio Network - https://aceradio.com.au/ Catch us also on: Radio 2DD - Easy Listening - On Line - https://www.2dd.online/ Follow us on Facebook...https://www.facebook.com/foodbyteswithsarahpatterson/ Twitter & Instagram - @sarahfoodbytes Post-production by Chris Gates  for Howdy Partners Media  © 2026See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Toby Schmitz is an actor, playwright, director, novelist and Food Bytes guest extraordinaire. Currently playing to packed houses across Australia in the production Art with Richard Roxburgh and Damon Herriman, Toby took time out from the Melbourne season to chat about his love of the theatre and his many very successful film and television roles, including the smash hit Boy Swallows Universe and his surprising pirate voice for the series Black Sails. We discover his late night post-show wind down and the sweet treat that is his very guilty pleasure. For someone who isn't a kitchen whiz, Toby has some outstanding tips to share and a food combo that might surprise and delight.  The Food Poll highlights the legume everyone is talking about - chickpeas. Are you a yay or a nay?   Presented by Sarah Patterson & Kevin Hillier Broadcast each Sunday on the ACE Radio Network - https://aceradio.com.au/ Catch us also on: Radio 2DD - Easy Listening - On Line - https://www.2dd.online/ Follow us on Facebook...https://www.facebook.com/foodbyteswithsarahpatterson/ Twitter & Instagram - @sarahfoodbytes Post-production by Chris Gates  for Howdy Partners Media  © 2026See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.