Mercurio was on Kangaroo Island to film a segment for his Mercurio’s Menu series.

He shared facilities with Casey Stibbards to cook some marron as part of the show.

Mercurio’s crew were thrilled and surprised at the quality and variety of Kangaroo Island wine and produce during their four-day stay, visiting Southern Ocean Lodge, Stranraer Homestead, Clifford’s Honey Farm and other sites on the island to source and cook local produce.

Mr Stibbards, 26, has been on the island only two weeks but already feels right at home, enjoying the “surprisingly good” wines and the atmosphere at the Ozone.

He was previously head chef at the Varsity Lakes Tavern on the Gold Coast and saw the Ozone job on the Internet.

“We’re really enjoying it here,” Mr Stibbards said.

Meanwhile, the new managers of the Aurora Ozone Hotel Andrew and Kaye Duncan have been busy making themselves known and getting to know the business and Kangaroo Island.

New menus will be on show at the Ozone soon and will change several times a year to feature seasonal produce.

Mr Duncan said the new management would make changes but he was keen to reassure people that the local features of the hotel and its support for local businesses, sports clubs and community groups would continue.

“We want to be considered as the family-friendly hotel for locals,” Mr Duncan said.

While regular features such as Freebie Fridays, the Pokie Wheel and bar meals remain, changes will include relocating the pokie lounge to its former home between the bistro and the conference room.

Breakfast now continues at the bistro until 10am with a revamped menu designed to capture the morning business meeting market.

The Duncans have been getting around the island. Mr Duncan was treated to a Father’s Day lunch at Seal Bay Café and “absolutely loved” Vivonne Bay.

He said they had seen wildlife reserves all over the world and were extremely impressed by Seal Bay. “It’s sensational. I can see now why all the exit polls of tourists are so strong,” Mr Duncan said.

He has joined the golf club and Mrs Duncan says she would like to learn quilting from the local group.

Shauna Black