In fact, it was just a stepping stone to their next venture.
The Torrumbarry couple is pitching a new TV show called Champagne Food on a Beer Budget as a way of showcasing regional farmers and teaching viewers how to cook delicious food with a limited budget.
‘‘We will fly a small plane onto farms and cook for the farmer on their land,’’ Jodie-Anne said.
‘‘We are showcasing the struggles that farmers face and why they stay on the land. We want Australia to see that milk doesn’t come in a carton and lamb doesn’t come on a black tray.
‘‘We will then cook for the farmer on their property using their produce and leave them with parting gifts.’’
And that’s exactly what they did on Monday. Jodie-Anne and Mick, who is a pilot, flew into Roslynmead farm The Carriages outside Echuca for their pilot show.
They surprised owners David and Lyndall Johnson, who have been on their 200-acre mixed farm for 20 years.
The family gave the Barlows a tour of the property, which includes a vineyard, sheep, pistachios and heritage train accommodation, before cooking them dinner using their Dorper lamb encrusted with pistachio nuts, topped off with The Carriages red wine.
‘‘It’s exciting to be involved in the first show,’’ David said.
‘‘They’re trying to push the importance of farming and paddock to plate which is a great idea.’’
Jodie-Anne said the second part of the show was the Champagne Food on a Beer Budget mantra.
‘‘Buy the produce that’s heavily marked down at the supermarket and cook to suit what you have, not shop to a menu,’’ she said.
‘‘Save money on food and pay off your mortgage sooner, save for a holiday, take the family out to dinner etc. We will be cooking those meals in our kitchen in Torrumbarry.’’
At the end of the show, Australian Horizons Foundation in conjunction with BEEFitUP Australia presented the family with $250.
‘‘We want the family to spend the money locally on something they want but may not need,’’ marketing and communications director Anita Donlon said.
‘‘It not only makes them happy, improving their mental health, but the economy is $250 better off and every $1 spent locally can be multiplied by a minimum of four as that dollar value is recycled in the community.
‘‘It’s a wonderful opportunity to give back.’’
Mick said he was looking forward to showcasing Australian farmers and produce.
‘‘We’ll show what’s involved with getting produce to Australian markets, the challenges, what keeps farmers doing what they do and why families love living out here,’’ he said.
Jodie-Anne said the project was 10 years in the making.
‘‘I went on Ready Steady Cook 10 years ago and stated I wanted a TV show with that name,’’ she said.
‘‘We went on MKR to gain traction for that project.
‘‘Everyone is donating their time in order for us to afford filming the pilot before we go to the networks. We could be on TV screens by the end of the year, or early next year.’’
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