AUSTRALIAN CUISINE AND THE CULINARY SCENE DOWN UNDER MADE REMARKABLE STRIDES IN THE LAST DECADE OF THE 20th CENTURY,  AND IN THE EARLY YEARS OF THE 21st CENTURY.  TO TRY AND DESCRIBE IT HERE WOULD NOT GIVE IT FULL JUSTICE, SO, IT WAS DECIDED TO PLACE SEVERAL 'LINKS' BELOW, FOR READERS TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE AUSTRALIAN CULINARY SCENE.  

TO GET AN IDEA OF THE INCREDIBLE CULINARY STRIDES MADE IN AUSTRALIA TODAY, READ THE COMMENTS FROM NOREEN KINNEY, PRESIDENT - CORDON D' OR - GOLD RIBBON CUISINE:  

"I VISITED AUSTRALIA IN 1972 - 1973, FOR AN EXTENDED STAY OF EIGHT MONTHS. IT GAVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO OBSERVE AND PARTAKE IN THE AUSTRALIAN FOOD SCENE.... WHEN ONE WENT OUT TO EAT, THERE WAS VERY LITTLE CHOICE AVAILABLE BEYOND THE ENJOYMENT OF 'STEAK & EGGS' A POPULAR AUSTRALIAN MEAL OFFERED TO DINERS;  FAST FOOD (AMERICAN STYLE) WITH HAMBURGERS & CHIPS - THE MOST POPULAR FOOD AVAILABLE AT THE TIME;   & ENGLISH STYLE FISH & CHIPS - A GREAT FAVORITE LOCALLY. CHINESE RESTAURANTS WERE PLENTIFUL, BUT THERE WAS VERY MINIMAL CHOICE IN 'FINE DINING'  ESTABLISHMENTS.  I WAS DELIGHTED TO FIND A FAVORITE FISH - JOHN DORY, WHICH WAS CONSIDERED A DELICACY DOWN UNDER AND EXPENSIVE. OVERALL, I WAS TO SAY THE LEAST, DISAPPOINTED, AS THE POTENTIAL TO TURN THE CULINARY SCENE AROUND WAS THERE.   HOWEVER,  NO ONE HAD TAPPED INTO IT AT THE TIME. I HAVE WATCHED WITH GREAT INTEREST, THE CULINARY PROGRESS MADE THROUGHOUT AUSTRALIA OVER THE PAST DECADES AND RECEIVED MANY FIRST HAND REPORTS. I AM DELIGHTED TO SEE THE INCREDIBLE CHANGES THAT HAVE TAKEN AUSTRALIA ON TO THE CULINARY WORLD STAGE TODAY."   

LINKS:  

http://www.tasting-australia.com.au/  

http://www.worldfoodmediaawards.com/awards/categories  

http://www.marimari.com/content/australia/food/modern_cuisine/main.html

http://www.inmamaskitchen.com/FOOD_IS_ART/places/Ausfoodarticle.html  

http://www.foodaustralia.com.au/ 

www.austrade.gov.au   Click on link for information on international events