Saskia Beer death: Maggie says thanks after outpouring of sympathy

Maggie Beer’s husband and family have thanked fans and followers for their outpouring of support after the death of SA food pioneer Saskia Beer, as the industry made plans to honour her legacy.

• Businesswoman and restaurateur Saskia Beer dies aged 46
• Saskia Beer mourned by chefs and food lovers across the country

THE husband and family of Saskia Beer have extended their thanks to her friends and supporters for the “overwhelming” outpouring of sympathy and support for Petar Jercic, Saskia’s parents and family.

Saskia, the highly regarded Barossa food producer and daughter of cooking hero Maggie Beer, died unexpectedly last Friday, aged 46.

In Instagram posts on Thursday, Saskia’s husband Petar Jercic and Maggie Beer thanked the public for continuing to respect the family’s privacy.

Mr Jercic said he was committed to honouring Saskia’s work “and carrying on the legacy of her substantial contribution to the food industry”.

It was business as usual at Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop and she thanked the staff for “keeping things running perfectly”.

The “business as usual” approach has also been stressed by farmers and foodies who admired the work of Saskia Beer and want to ensure her achievements will continue.

At the Adelaide Farmers’ Market at the Showgrounds, the Saskia Beer Farm Produce stall had sold her free range poultry and other products since 2013.

Saskia was regarded as the “real deal” – at her stall every Sunday, working behind the scenes, with her husband Petar Jercic.

Saskia’s stall will be closed as a mark of respect this week, but the market’s executive officer, Christine Robertson, said they did not want people to think the business was closing.

“We know our shoppers would want to support what Saskia built up, and all it stood for. We know they want to support Petar and the family, and their employees,” she said.

“Her work will continue.”

Saskia has also been honoured as a central figure in the Barossa community.

Executive chef at the Barossa’s St Hugo restaurant, Mark McNamara taught Saskia at TAFE, and later worked for her as her produce was sold overseas.

“Saskia genuinely helped cement our region on the culinary map of Australia, with her Barossa Farm Produce gracing the menus and kitchens of the Australia’s best restaurants,” he said.

“While her sad and sudden passing will reverberate around the country it will be felt deeply across the Barossa but strongest by her family and the friends that knew her best.”

Saskia Beer in her kitchen at Angaston home. Picture Campbell Brodie

The Barossa Farmers Market, of which Saskia was a founding member, is hosting a tribute book for customers and community members to sign.

On its Facebook page, the market paid tribute to her “passion for our regional food and our regional producers.”

She was, it said, a regional ambassador who “set a new professional standard in our food production sectors both regionally, and nationwide.”

Maggie Beer was due to cook a Glasshouse Kitchen dinner at Tasting Australia on March 28, with Emma McCaskill, Sat Bains and Darren Robertson. The dinner has been sold out. Tasting Australia said it was too soon to confirm whether Maggie would still be part of that event – organisers said they want to give the family time to grieve.