What we eat

Lunch was different, a bit sniffier, bit of salami and odd bits and pieces inside the sangers... we were just a little bit different.Roberto D’Andrea, school boy memories, Melbourne, 1998

The food we eat does more than nourish us. It reveals what we like, believe in and where we’ve come from. Growing up, our school lunchbox can be a source of envy or shame. Later we may take pride in the food traditions of our families.

We now have more cuisines, ingredients, cooking shows and recipe books than ever before. Today it seems most of us know the difference between prosciutto and pancetta, sushi and sashimi.

We are what we eat. Or are we?

What are you having for dinner tonight and does it say anything about your identity?

Image Gallery

Ayshthul Nazim cooking Sri Lankan rice, Melbourne, 2003
Image: David Loram
Source: Museum Victoria

Lissie and Rebecca are served a Kangaroo curry by their mother Gian, Western Australia, 1998
Image: Roger Garwood and Trish Ainslie
Source: National Library of Australia

Sudanese family meal, Melbourne, 2005
Image: Junne Orford
Source: National Library of Australia

Thai meal celebrating New Year at The Melbourne Thai Buddhist Temple Inc, Box Hill, Melbourne, 2003
Source: The Melbourne Thai Buddhist Temple Inc.

Family Christmas, Melbourne, 2008
Image: Joan Cox
Source: Joan Cox

Baking gigi (Italian biscuits), Sydney, 2006
Image: Jane Burton-Taylor
Source: National Library of Australia

Chapatis being prepared in the Gurdwara community kitchen, Sikh Gurdwara Temple, Blackburn, Melbourne, 2007
Image: June Orford
Source: National Library of Australia