12 October 1995
Senator McMullan said the Australian Cuisine Project, launched by the Prime Minister in May, will receive $110,000 from 'Inventive Australia' to complement a similar amount from Austrade and support from QANTAS, the Australian Tourism Commission and Australian food producers.
"The project was developed by Austrade, with support from Australian industry and the Market Australia Unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade," Senator McMullan said.
"Its aim is to promote Australian high quality food products by introducing Japanese food critics and chefs to the range and quality of contemporary Australian cuisine.
"Australia is a major supplier of foodstuffs to Japan, but much of it is in the form of bulk materials which may not be easily identifiable as Australian, making it difficult to attract brand loyalty or consumer choice.
"Through activities such as sponsoring visits to Australia by Japanese chefs and food critics, and by informing and influencing the 800,000 Japanese tourists who visit Australia each year, the project is selling the message that Australia can prepare and present good food as well as produce good food.
"A review of the first phase shows the project is working with favourable and considerable coverage in the Japanese media and positive feedback from the Japanese chefs through the uptake of Australian ingredients and recipes.
"It is important to build on this success to create a strong long-term image of all facets of the Australian food industry.
"As a start, seven groups of Japanese food critics, travel writers and chefs will be visiting Australia this summer as part of the Australian Cuisine Project," Senator McMullan said.
Further Information:
Senator McMullan's Office: John Flannery, (06) 277 7420
Austrade Tokyo: Greg Dodds, 0011 813 5232 4185 Market Australia: Keith Baker, (06) 261 3100