Aussie food a mystery overseas
Updated
An international expert in food marketing has given delegates at the first National Farmers Federation Congress in Brisbane plenty of food for thought.
Professor David Hughes has told 400 representatives of the farming sector that people overseas have no idea of the type of food that Australia produces. The claim has been greeted with concern by farmers at the two day conference but not all said they were surprised.
Presenter: Charlotte Glennie
Speakers: Professor David Hughes from the Centre for Food Chain Research in the United Kingdom; Andrew Rennie, chef; Peter Thompson, farmer
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CHARLOTTE GLENNIE: When it comes to food that's quintessentially Australian, Professor David Hughes from the Centre for Food Chain Research in the United Kingdom says international consumer surveys show very little stands out.
DAVID HUGHES: Around the world there's a strong sort of positive feeling about Australians - they're friendly people, they're nice people, they're intelligent people, they're hardworking people and then when you say, "Well, what about Australian food?"
They say, "Oh apparently they are really, really good at it."
And the interesting thing is and then you look into the research and say, "Well, exactly what Australian food do you think they are particularly good at?"
And there is this long gap and then they say, "Beer... ah, don't they do grains?"
CHARLOTTE GLENNIE: His claim was the topic of many a conversation at the National Farmers' Federation Congress gala dinner last night.
Here's Queensland farmer Peter Thompson.
PETER THOMPSON: It is pretty concerning but not at all surprising. I sat there and thought about it myself actually trying to work out what do I think we are known for and thought maybe it is that old, what is it, meat pies, kangaroos and Holden cars which is a bit scary to think that's what we portray.
CHARLOTTE GLENNIE: As they tucked into a meal of fine Australian beef, salmon and lamb a lot of the dinner guests struggled to think of a classic Australian cuisine.
VOX POP: I guess, um... I guess that our food is safe. Um... our steaks. Our... oh I don't know.
CHARLOTTE GLENNIE: Many of the farmers settled on produce close to their hearts.
VOX POP 2: Meat. Probably more specifically it's known for its beef and sheep I would imagine, yeah.
CHARLOTTE GLENNIE: Out the back in the kitchen chef Andrew Rennie is busy preparing 400 meals.
Everything on the menu is locally produced and Mr Rennie says he believes the Australia ingredients are some of the best in the world.
ANDREW RENNIE: It is not mass produced. It is all nice and, you know, the fat levels, everything is checked. It is done perfectly.
CHARLOTTE GLENNIE: Do you think people overseas know that though?
ANDREW RENNIE: I don't know. Some people don't know where Australia is, do they? So I don't know. You'd think so.
