What is AussieCuisine?
Ask anyone their opinion and you are likely to get answers ranging from “I don’t know” to “I know it when I taste it” and everything in between.
When Gault&Millau launched in Australia and reviewed dining establishments in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra, more than 300 restaurants indicated that they serve “Contemporary Australian Cuisine”, but most were unable to give us an informative explanation or even the defining characteristics of such a cuisine. It was this lack of a clear answer that gave birth to the AussieCuisine project.
There is no doubt that the past 25 years have seen the food offered in Australian restaurants and on our tables at home change considerably. Over this time, a new food culture evolved in which quality and variety – in contrast to an earlier focus on quantity – became important to many Australians. And while trends and food fashions are ever-changing, not only in Australia but in all the world’s major culinary centres, it is clear that there are certain key pillars on which our “AussieCuisine” is based.
About the Project
AussieCuisine was an educational research project sponsored by the Gault&Millau Australia restaurant guide. Over three years of the project it researched the greater meaning of Australian cuisine.
It interviewed numerous chefs, holding several forum discussions in different Australian cities with leaders of the hospitality industry and researching a great number of books and articles. We came to the conclusion that Australian cooking style at that point was best defined as:
“A fresh, light, vibrant and innovative cuisine;
featuring the diversity of Australian inland and coastal produce
and reflecting our relaxed outdoor lifestyle.”
Our Mission
To define the current cultural cuisine of Australia whilst acknowledging its past and offer guidance for its future. To advocate its values domestically and internationally by providing vested industries a clear identity to promote the vast and talented culinary landscape within Australia. We understand that our cuisine in Australia is continuing to evolve as the influence of other cuisines inspire our interpretation of what is quintessentially defined as Modern Australian.
Sponsorship
With Gault&Millau having ceased operations in Australia, we are looking for new sponsors. We aim to hold an Industry Summit in late 2025, after we have collated all the contributions and identified the key trends to reach an updated definition. If you are interested, please contact dane@newsforthefoodlover.com
