Australian Food and Hospitality Industry - Assignment Example

AUSTRALIAN FOOD AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY Name Tutor Course Date Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 8 Food and hospitality industry is one of the important contributors to Australia’s economy, and an area that has seen a continuous growth despite challenges facing the overall progress of the country’s economy. The sector provides both money and employment to the Australia’s economy. The Australia has had their traditional or native dishes that are still growing in popularity today. In fact, the government did set up a body; Australian Native Food Industry Limited, to represent the interests of all stakeholders in the fast growing native food industry. Although, the native food industry is growing at an admirable speed, there are changes taking place in terms of new cuisines and dishes being introduced in Australia from other cultures (countries). There have been inflows of foreign delicacies into the Australia’s food industry, which have influenced the tastes and eating habits of Australians. What are the main cultural influences on modern Australian cuisine? It is the research question to be answered. Therefore, this research study investigates the changes that are witnessed in the food and hospitality industry in Australia due to main cultural influences on modern Australian cuisine. The study will focus its research under three questions, including what has influenced the modern Australian cuisine? How are cultural influences changing the modern Australian cuisine? And what do Australians choose to eat when dining out and what is the main cultural influence? 8 The study will use both primary and secondary sources concurrently to find the relevant information for the topics of discussions. Research based on secondary sources will come first, then followed by primary source, which involve carrying out a survey. The survey would be carried directly to people coming from the mall. It is of importance to note that the research is limited to cultural influences from other countries brought by immigration of individuals into Australia. The study may be biased towards dishes rather than including other foodstuff produced in the country. 8 Discussion 9 What has influenced the modern Australian cuisine? 9 Originally, before colonization by the Great Britain, the natives dependent on the locally available food stuff. The types of food seen today at most eating-places were not available back then. The natives, Aboriginal people, sustained themselves with a diverse range of flora and fauna, especially seafood and wild vegetables and fruits. The arrival of the first settlers saw the introduction of some new types of foods that included meat (beef and mutton), bread, and vegetables, mostly potatoes, and it marked the beginning of today’s cuisine in Australia. Many more people followed the first settlers and ever since the influx of foreign individuals has continued to arrive in Australia. Immigrants come along with their ways of lives, more so types of food, as they attempt to blend with the local population and their cultures. Notably the immigrants bring their different food types, which are new to the local populace. In fact, the types of food available today in Australia reflect the population diversity in existence. According to leading demographer, Bernard Salt, in his speech during Food SA’s summit held this year April held in Adelaide, he asserts that the increasing population, cultural mix is one of the main driving forces behind the food purchases across Australia (Beilharz and Jasper 2014). 9 The cultural diversity has seen a shift in the household menu and tastes. The types of food in most Australians households have shifted from an Anglo-Saxon mix of bread and potatoes to a food more reflective of middle-eastern flavored menu, with a touch on the Mediterranean and Asian cultures (Beilharz and Jasper 2014). The demand for exotic food has spurred the growth of local delicacies that never caught an attention before. Modern Australian cuisine includes local delicacies, especially the traditional Australian bush tucker which is becoming common in Australian restaurants where menus consists of kangaroo, crocodile, buffalo, and emu (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 2012). 10 The tourism sector has also played an important role in shaping the modern Australian cuisine. Tourism brings with it cultural diversity that must satisfy in terms of food they are used to and new experience from the new cuisines. Therefore, continuous visitation of Australia by people with different background and cultures is reflected in the types of cuisines available in the country. That is why Australia has the most diverse cuisine in the world. Tourists have continued to flock the country to experience its food has to offer. The developments of restaurants that offer exclusively exotic food have also contributed to the types of cuisine seen in Australia today. Such restaurants have been accepted by Australians furthering the diversity of cuisine in the country. For instance, Thomas Olive Bar, which specializes in European pub fare, announced in July 2014 that they would now be serving dinner Wednesday through Sunday nights to satisfy the high demand from Smith Street locals (Gram Magazine 2014). The Red Rock Leisure Group has launched a new German-style beer hall and restaurant known as Hophaus in Melnourne’s Southgate (Melbourne Patron, 2014). Hophaus is offers distinct European beers and authentic rare German food. Other restaurants of similar specialties are over the country and offer lots of opportunities for Australians to enhance their cooking skills. 10 It is clear from the survey that many people living in Australia believe in the impact of cultural diversity in food and hospitality industry. Some of those surveyed were in fact tourists who were in the country to feel personal influence on much talk about Australian diversified cuisines. Higher percentage (80%) believes that cultural mixes have led to the development of Australian diversified cuisines. Contribution of the tourism sector on the cuisines development was very positive with the majority surveyed owing a lot to the tourism for cultural diversity in Australia, which in turn have improved their dishes. Most visitors come to Australia to enjoy what they cannot get anywhere else in the world, most specifically native wild meat, seafood and fused cuisines that are only available in Australia. 11 How are cultural influences changing the modern Australian cuisine? 11 Australia boasts of one of the diverse cuisines in the world, which have been influenced by South East Asia cuisines, Italian home cooking and America’s fast food. There has never been Australian cuisine before, but the allure of exotic cuisines has forced Australia to identify one of their own in the menu across the country. What is considered an Australian dish consists of predominantly food associated with native Australians mostly kangaroo and other wild meat delicacies. However, still this cuisine was developed during colonial times by blending the local food with some ingredients from foreign cultures, and they remained in the mainstream menu of Australians for many years. As new cultures set in, the demand for local cuisines also rises, thus enhancing Australians dishes, some of which had been dormant in demand. There many foods and cuisines that are being introduced in the industry from time to time, and given the creativity of chefs ready for more challenges, the trend is expected to get better and better. Chefs of foreign nationals have changed the playing field for new cuisines. They are known for their expertise in blending European cooking traditions using Asian flavors and products. Australians traditions on some types of food have kept their menu intact for many years now. Food such as Milo, Vegemite, damper, and Anzac biscuits are considered national anthem and for that they have remained part of the Australians household foodstuff. 11 Americans have always known to be the pioneer of fast food in the world, and no other country can match them. However, currently Australia has joined the league of America in fast food consumption. International fast food joints are operating in Australia, and they have apparently influenced in the fast food consumption habits in Australia. The suburbs are dotted with burger and chicken chain stores that have replaced the traditional food such as meat pies, fish and chips. Australians are known for their heavy drinking of tea, coffee and wine, and the culture keeps on growing more popular than before. 12 The demand for unique cuisines has led to the resurgence and exploration of old cuisines and current ones to capture and meet cultural differences in the country. There is reintroduction of fat washing spirits around the country. Fat washing involves fusing of a favorite drink with fat flavors such as coconut oil, bacon, roast lamb, and popcorn. Adding fats in favorite drinks lost popularity some time back, but it is coming back in restaurants and pubs. Special exotic foods are finding their way in the list of popularity cuisines in the restaurants. For example, calypso cooking is becoming part of Australians cuisines. It is best-known for its mixed influences from known cultures across the world, including Portuguese, British, Spanish, and Africans, as well. Colleen Robinson, a Jamaican home chef, living in Melbourne is best-known for his expertise in exotic dishes, especially Jamaican national dishes such as ackee and saltfish (Mackenzie, 2014). Mexican cuisines have been served to Australians for many years, but the true origin of the food has never been explored before until now. The most common Mexican cuisines known to many households in the country include tacos, chilli, and nachos con carne. However, RN First Bite explored the source of most of the Mexican cuisines to the Aztec Empire from which many other dishes in restaurants traces back to the same empire an indication that new ones are also Mexican delicacies (Diversified Australia 2014). Newly identified cuisines include zucchini, squash, blue, red, white and yellow corn that are ground into a flour masa. Mexican traditional drink pulque became less popular during the rise of beer in Mexico but has now resurged in restaurants due to its nationalistic status (Mackenzie 2014). 12 According to the survey conducted, majority of Australians (75%) acknowledged that the image of the cuisines has changed and still changing due to the cultural mix in the population. Most of those surveyed are also happy about the influence and contributions the immigrants have done in food and hospitality sector, which in turn have spurred the growth of tourist to a greater level. It was also evident from the results that the majority of Australians now consumes more foreign cuisines than before due to the popularity among the immigrants and tourists. Most of those surveyed also attribute the changes in cuisines to specialized foreign chefs. Most people now eat out in restaurants than before because of the available fast food stores offering chicken and burger, which have replaced what Australians, were used to before. 13 What do Australians choose to eat when dining out and what is the main cultural influence? 14 Australians have a variety of dishes to pick from dining out. Australians are known for their love for wine, and many Australian wines are very popular around the world. The majority of Australians, therefore, would take wine during a meal. It is the Australians own culture of wine-taking, so one continues with the tradition when drinking wine at mealtime. Of all the places people can eat out, Australians love dining out at fast food joints that include McDonald, Subways, KFC, Hungry Jack’s, and Domino’s Pizza. Regular visitors to these joints are loyal to their first brand of choices with one or two brands a month. The choice for which joint to frequent depends on individuals’ preferences that include tastes, health, price, and convenience (Langley 2014). The American culture of cooking less and eating out more has changed Australians into heavy consumers of fast food. Australians also have a taste for most of the foreign cuisines that they can barely miss when dining out. They love Mexican cuisines, which include tacos, nachos and chilli con carne. Such cuisines are influenced by cooking styles perfected by renowned cooks that have set base in Australia. 14 Most of people surveyed admitted of eating out at a fast food joint at least once a week. The majority of participants gave food taste as the main determinant of which fast food joint to eat from and McDonald appeared to be the most preferred of them all. From the survey, most Australians and visitors as well do take at least some wine during meals regardless whether food is taken in the house or restaurant. The majority of those surveyed concurred that cooking styles and tastes are the main the reasons most foreign cuisines are widely popular among Australians. Conclusion 15 The research study clearly shows that the cultural influence of immigrants is changing the food and hospitality industry in Australia. The research answers the research question; what are the main cultural influences on modern Australian cuisine? The influx of immigrants that started back during the first settlers have shaped the food and hospitality industry seen today. The research has shown the impact of cultural diversity in the development of Australian cuisines. Restaurants specializing in exotic food are on the rise across the country indicating the influence of popularity of foreign cuisines. The tourism sector has also affected positively on the growth of cuisines in the country. Cuisines across the country are also improving as more embrace foreign dishes. Renowned chefs of exotic delicacies are all over Australia. 15 Cultural diversity has had much impact in food and hospitality industry. Many cuisines and dishes have resurged. Restaurants have mushroomed around the country to provide exotic delicacies. Tourists have also come to the country enjoy what only Australia can offer; diverse cuisines and native wild meat. Cultural diversity has also put Australia in the world map as one the countries with outstanding chefs of unique cuisines. It has also provided opportunities for Australians to develop their prowess in food and hospitality industry (Australian Trade Commission 2014). 15 The image of Australian cuisines has changed with the cultural diversity. Old cuisines have been reintroduced in a better way. Exploration of exotic dishes has also increased. The consumption of fast foods is on the rise due to the availability of foreign fast food stores in the country. Most Australians prefer fast food joints while eating out, and love to accompany every meal with a glass of wine. From my point of view, the current trend of cultural influence on the growth of food and hospitality will continue in the near future. More ground works will have to be done to ensure continued progress in the industry, which has many benefits to be ignored. 16 Bibliography 17 Australian Trade Commission 2014, Food and Beverage. Available online 17 Diversified Australia 2014, Melbourne convention exhibition centre. Available online 17 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 2012, People, culture and lifestyle. Available online 17 Gram Magazine 2014, Sanguine Estate awarded top prize. Available online 17 Gram Magazine 2014, Melbourne tea fair. Available online 17 Langley, S., 2014, Australian fast food ‘emma’ survey findings released. Retrieved from http://ausfoodnews.com.au/2014/03/17/australian-fast-food-%E2%80%98emma%E2%80%99-survey-findings-released.html 17 Mackenzie, M., 2014, Calypso cooking. Retrieved from http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/rnfirstbite/jamaica/5520642 18 Mackenzie, M., 2014, The rebirth of the real Mexico. Retrieved from http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/rnfirstbite/the-rebirth-of-the-real-mexico/5639038 18 Melbourne Patron, 2014, Hophaus bier bar and grill. Retrieved from http://grammagazine.com.au/hophaus-bier-bar-and-grill/ 18 Nikolai Beilharz and Clint Jasper, 30 April 2014, Population diversity and consumer demands shaping the future of food. Retrieved from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-30/food-summit-sa/5421646 18 Reflection on the Current Issues in Food and Hospitality Industry Introduction Food and hospitality industry is one of the important contributors to Australia’s economy, and an area that has seen a continuous growth despite challenges facing the overall progress of the country’s economy. The sector provides both money and employment to the Australia’s economy. The Australia has had their traditional or native dishes that are still growing in popularity today. In fact, the government did set up a body; Australian Native Food Industry Limited, to represent the interests of all stakeholders in the fast growing native food industry. Although, the native food industry is growing at an admirable speed, there are changes taking place in terms of new cuisines and dishes being introduced in Australia from other cultures (countries). There have been inflows of foreign delicacies into the Australia’s food industry, which have influenced the tastes and eating habits of Australians. What are the main cultural influences on modern Australian cuisine? It is the research question to be answered. Therefore, this research study investigates the changes that are witnessed in the food and hospitality industry in Australia due to main cultural influences on modern Australian cuisine. The study will focus its research under three questions, including what has influenced the modern Australian cuisine? How are cultural influences changing the modern Australian cuisine? And what do Australians choose to eat when dining out and what is the main cultural influence? The study will use both primary and secondary sources concurrently to find the relevant information for the topics of discussions. Research based on secondary sources will come first, then followed by primary source, which involve carrying out a survey. The survey would be carried directly to people coming from the mall. It is of importance to note that the research is limited to cultural influences from other countries brought by immigration of individuals into Australia. The study may be biased towards dishes rather than including other foodstuff produced in the country. Discussion What has influenced the modern Australian cuisine? Originally, before colonization by the Great Britain, the natives dependent on the locally available food stuff. The types of food seen today at most eating-places were not available back then. The natives, Aboriginal people, sustained themselves with a diverse range of flora and fauna, especially seafood and wild vegetables and fruits. The arrival of the first settlers saw the introduction of some new types of foods that included meat (beef and mutton), bread, and vegetables, mostly potatoes, and it marked the beginning of today’s cuisine in Australia. Many more people followed the first settlers and ever since the influx of foreign individuals has continued to arrive in Australia. Immigrants come along with their ways of lives, more so types of food, as they attempt to blend with the local population and their cultures. Notably the immigrants bring their different food types, which are new to the local populace. In fact, the types of food available today in Australia reflect the population diversity in existence. According to leading demographer, Bernard Salt, in his speech during Food SA’s summit held this year April held in Adelaide, he asserts that the increasing population, cultural mix is one of the main driving forces behind the food purchases across Australia (Beilharz and Jasper 2014). The cultural diversity has seen a shift in the household menu and tastes. The types of food in most Australians households have shifted from an Anglo-Saxon mix of bread and potatoes to a food more reflective of middle-eastern flavored menu, with a touch on the Mediterranean and Asian cultures (Beilharz and Jasper 2014). The demand for exotic food has spurred the growth of local delicacies that never caught an attention before. Modern Australian cuisine includes local delicacies, especially the traditional Australian bush tucker which is becoming common in Australian restaurants where menus consists of kangaroo, crocodile, buffalo, and emu (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 2012). The tourism sector has also played an important role in shaping the modern Australian cuisine. Tourism brings with it cultural diversity that must satisfy in terms of food they are used to and new experience from the new cuisines. Therefore, continuous visitation of Australia by people with different background and cultures is reflected in the types of cuisines available in the country. That is why Australia has the most diverse cuisine in the world. Tourists have continued to flock the country to experience its food has to offer. The developments of restaurants that offer exclusively exotic food have also contributed to the types of cuisine seen in Australia today. Such restaurants have been accepted by Australians furthering the diversity of cuisine in the country. For instance, Thomas Olive Bar, which specializes in European pub fare, announced in July 2014 that they would now be serving dinner Wednesday through Sunday nights to satisfy the high demand from Smith Street locals (Gram Magazine 2014). The Red Rock Leisure Group has launched a new German-style beer hall and restaurant known as Hophaus in Melnourne’s Southgate (Melbourne Patron, 2014). Hophaus is offers distinct European beers and authentic rare German food. Other restaurants of similar specialties are over the country and offer lots of opportunities for Australians to enhance their cooking skills. It is clear from the survey that many people living in Australia believe in the impact of cultural diversity in food and hospitality industry. Some of those surveyed were in fact tourists who were in the country to feel personal influence on much talk about Australian diversified cuisines. Higher percentage (80%) believes that cultural mixes have led to the development of Australian diversified cuisines. Contribution of the tourism sector on the cuisines development was very positive with the majority surveyed owing a lot to the tourism for cultural diversity in Australia, which in turn have improved their dishes. Most visitors come to Australia to enjoy what they cannot get anywhere else in the world, most specifically native wild meat, seafood and fused cuisines that are only available in Australia. How are cultural influences changing the modern Australian cuisine? Australia boasts of one of the diverse cuisines in the world, which have been influenced by South East Asia cuisines, Italian home cooking and America’s fast food. There has never been Australian cuisine before, but the allure of exotic cuisines has forced Australia to identify one of their own in the menu across the country. What is considered an Australian dish consists of predominantly food associated with native Australians mostly kangaroo and other wild meat delicacies. However, still this cuisine was developed during colonial times by blending the local food with some ingredients from foreign cultures, and they remained in the mainstream menu of Australians for many years. As new cultures set in, the demand for local cuisines also rises, thus enhancing Australians dishes, some of which had been dormant in demand. There many foods and cuisines that are being introduced in the industry from time to time, and given the creativity of chefs ready for more challenges, the trend is expected to get better and better. Chefs of foreign nationals have changed the playing field for new cuisines. They are known for their expertise in blending European cooking traditions using Asian flavors and products. Australians traditions on some types of food have kept their menu intact for many years now. Food such as Milo, Vegemite, damper, and Anzac biscuits are considered national anthem and for that they have remained part of the Australians household foodstuff. Americans have always known to be the pioneer of fast food in the world, and no other country can match them. However, currently Australia has joined the league of America in fast food consumption. International fast food joints are operating in Australia, and they have apparently influenced in the fast food consumption habits in Australia. The suburbs are dotted with burger and chicken chain stores that have replaced the traditional food such as meat pies, fish and chips. Australians are known for their heavy drinking of tea, coffee and wine, and the culture keeps on growing more popular than before. The demand for unique cuisines has led to the resurgence and exploration of old cuisines and current ones to capture and meet cultural differences in the country. There is reintroduction of fat washing spirits around the country. Fat washing involves fusing of a favorite drink with fat flavors such as coconut oil, bacon, roast lamb, and popcorn. Adding fats in favorite drinks lost popularity some time back, but it is coming back in restaurants and pubs. Special exotic foods are finding their way in the list of popularity cuisines in the restaurants. For example, calypso cooking is becoming part of Australians cuisines. It is best-known for its mixed influences from known cultures across the world, including Portuguese, British, Spanish, and Africans, as well. Colleen Robinson, a Jamaican home chef, living in Melbourne is best-known for his expertise in exotic dishes, especially Jamaican national dishes such as ackee and saltfish (Mackenzie, 2014). Mexican cuisines have been served to Australians for many years, but the true origin of the food has never been explored before until now. The most common Mexican cuisines known to many households in the country include tacos, chilli, and nachos con carne. However, RN First Bite explored the source of most of the Mexican cuisines to the Aztec Empire from which many other dishes in restaurants traces back to the same empire an indication that new ones are also Mexican delicacies (Diversified Australia 2014). Newly identified cuisines include zucchini, squash, blue, red, white and yellow corn that are ground into a flour masa. Mexican traditional drink pulque became less popular during the rise of beer in Mexico but has now resurged in restaurants due to its nationalistic status (Mackenzie 2014). According to the survey conducted, majority of Australians (75%) acknowledged that the image of the cuisines has changed and still changing due to the cultural mix in the population. Most of those surveyed are also happy about the influence and contributions the immigrants have done in food and hospitality sector, which in turn have spurred the growth of tourist to a greater level. It was also evident from the results that the majority of Australians now consumes more foreign cuisines than before due to the popularity among the immigrants and tourists. Most of those surveyed also attribute the changes in cuisines to specialized foreign chefs. Most people now eat out in restaurants than before because of the available fast food stores offering chicken and burger, which have replaced what Australians, were used to before. What do Australians choose to eat when dining out and what is the main cultural influence? Australians have a variety of dishes to pick from dining out. Australians are known for their love for wine, and many Australian wines are very popular around the world. The majority of Australians, therefore, would take wine during a meal. It is the Australians own culture of wine-taking, so one continues with the tradition when drinking wine at mealtime. Of all the places people can eat out, Australians love dining out at fast food joints that include McDonald, Subways, KFC, Hungry Jack’s, and Domino’s Pizza. Regular visitors to these joints are loyal to their first brand of choices with one or two brands a month. The choice for which joint to frequent depends on individuals’ preferences that include tastes, health, price, and convenience (Langley 2014). The American culture of cooking less and eating out more has changed Australians into heavy consumers of fast food. Australians also have a taste for most of the foreign cuisines that they can barely miss when dining out. They love Mexican cuisines, which include tacos, nachos and chilli con carne. Such cuisines are influenced by cooking styles perfected by renowned cooks that have set base in Australia. Most of people surveyed admitted of eating out at a fast food joint at least once a week. The majority of participants gave food taste as the main determinant of which fast food joint to eat from and McDonald appeared to be the most preferred of them all. From the survey, most Australians and visitors as well do take at least some wine during meals regardless whether food is taken in the house or restaurant. The majority of those surveyed concurred that cooking styles and tastes are the main the reasons most foreign cuisines are widely popular among Australians. Conclusion The research study clearly shows that the cultural influence of immigrants is changing the food and hospitality industry in Australia. The research answers the research question; what are the main cultural influences on modern Australian cuisine? The influx of immigrants that started back during the first settlers have shaped the food and hospitality industry seen today. The research has shown the impact of cultural diversity in the development of Australian cuisines. Restaurants specializing in exotic food are on the rise across the country indicating the influence of popularity of foreign cuisines. The tourism sector has also affected positively on the growth of cuisines in the country. Cuisines across the country are also improving as more embrace foreign dishes. Renowned chefs of exotic delicacies are all over Australia. Cultural diversity has had much impact in food and hospitality industry. Many cuisines and dishes have resurged. Restaurants have mushroomed around the country to provide exotic delicacies. Tourists have also come to the country enjoy what only Australia can offer; diverse cuisines and native wild meat. Cultural diversity has also put Australia in the world map as one the countries with outstanding chefs of unique cuisines. It has also provided opportunities for Australians to develop their prowess in food and hospitality industry (Australian Trade Commission 2014). The image of Australian cuisines has changed with the cultural diversity. Old cuisines have been reintroduced in a better way. Exploration of exotic dishes has also increased. The consumption of fast foods is on the rise due to the availability of foreign fast food stores in the country. Most Australians prefer fast food joints while eating out, and love to accompany every meal with a glass of wine. From my point of view, the current trend of cultural influence on the growth of food and hospitality will continue in the near future. More ground works will have to be done to ensure continued progress in the industry, which has many benefits to be ignored. Bibliography Australian Trade Commission 2014, Food and Beverage. Available online Diversified Australia 2014, Melbourne convention exhibition centre. Available online Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 2012, People, culture and lifestyle. Available online Gram Magazine 2014, Sanguine Estate awarded top prize. Available online Gram Magazine 2014, Melbourne tea fair. Available online Langley, S., 2014, Australian fast food ‘emma’ survey findings released. Retrieved from http://ausfoodnews.com.au/2014/03/17/australian-fast-food-%E2%80%98emma%E2%80%99-survey-findings-released.html Mackenzie, M., 2014, Calypso cooking. Retrieved from http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/rnfirstbite/jamaica/5520642 Mackenzie, M., 2014, The rebirth of the real Mexico. Retrieved from http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/rnfirstbite/the-rebirth-of-the-real-mexico/5639038 Melbourne Patron, 2014, Hophaus bier bar and grill. Retrieved from http://grammagazine.com.au/hophaus-bier-bar-and-grill/ Nikolai Beilharz and Clint Jasper, 30 April 2014, Population diversity and consumer demands shaping the future of food. Retrieved from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-30/food-summit-sa/5421646 Read More