When The Australian Gourmet Magazine was launched in 1966, a conversation with food lovers began that continues to this day. The magazine shone a light on cooking trends and cultural shifts, and introduced new ideas, cuisines, chefs and dining experiences to Australia. In 1988 we added travel to the mix, merging with Traveller magazine to become the magazine you know today. While we may look a little different now, our philosophy rings just as true in 2016 as it did when it was conceived five decades ago – to celebrate excellence and good taste.
In this very special 50th anniversary issue we pay homage to the trailblazers and tastemakers who have helped shape the Australian food scene that we now enjoy, and we look to the next generation of chefs forging their own paths and taking us to new frontiers. We present a snapshot of the best eating in the country with 50 dishes that define Australian dining right now, while author Frank Moorhouse paints a colourful picture of the food scene in the ’60s. We list the 50 most influential people in food as part of our inaugural Power List and we turn to Pop Artist Wayne Thiebaud – who immortalised sweets in his pastel-hued masterpieces – for the inspiration behind our birthday cakes.
I’ve had the pleasure of editing this magazine, and leading this extraordinary team, for 13 years, a role that has afforded me a front-row view of the changing tastes of Australians, and remarkable stories of adventures and journeys both near and far. We live in exciting times – the Australian food and travel scenes have never been more dynamic or diverse and it’s a pleasure to chart that evolution on these pages and share it with you. I know the entire Gourmet Traveller team shares with me the great pride and also the great responsibility that comes with working on this esteemed masthead. In a world where quality journalism is becoming marginalised, Gourmet Traveller remains one of the world’s pre-eminent food and travel titles, with a steadfast commitment to delivering first-rate content. We pride ourselves on the vigour and rigour of our research, and our outstanding photography, recipes and reporting.
In the past decade, we have evolved from a magazine into a multi-platform brand that spans not only print and digital formats, but restaurant and hotel guides, cookbooks, events, Chinese-language editions, cruising specials, bespoke touring and merchandise – all devoted to helping our readers celebrate the good life, and all approached with the same measure of authority, integrity and diligence that has become our hallmark. And so, happy birthday to Gourmet Traveller and a big hip hip hooray to the editors, writers, photographers and stylists who have created so many memorable, inspiring stories over the past five decades. And to you, our reader, thank you for embracing these stories and making them, and this magazine, your own.
Take a look at our huge 50th bash we threw with Patrón Tequila, and here’s to the next 50 years of good times and good taste – the future is looking bright.
Gourmet Traveller’s 50th anniversary edition is on sale from Monday 24 October, 2016. Subscribe here.
