High Commissioner’s Eleven Tastes of Australia –
Gala Food Promotion Event
What do Australians and Bangladeshis have in common? A love of cricket, music and fine food – and all of these came together at a gala dinner hosted by the Australian High Commissioner Dr Justin Lee at his residence on 29 May.
The “High Commissioner’s Eleven: Tastes of Australia” was a promotion of Australian foods imported to Bangladesh, attended by distinguished guests from the media, celebrities, industry and government, including State Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Hasan Mahmud. The eleven “tastes” of Australia included some of the finest Australian meats, seafood and dairy products available in Bangladesh.
Welcoming guests to the event, Dr Lee said “Australia has long imported grains and other foodstuffs to Bangladesh. Tonight celebrates the increasing variety of Australian produce now coming to this country, which is unique for its quality and freshness. Food exports are a core component of our bilateral trade worth A$130 million in 2008, up 22 per cent from the previous year.”
Each of the eleven “tastes” of Australia was prepared by the Westin Hotel’s Australian executive chef Gerard Wallace and served to attendees amid a fanfare of Australian music, mimicking domestic one-day cricket matches in Australia where batsmen enter the field to their favourite song.
“In Australia as in Bangladesh eating is a privilege and a joy, a time to share with friends and family. We wanted to make tonight fun, expose guests to what is now available in Bangladesh stores, and celebrate the things we have in common,” Dr Lee said.
Australia has a reputation for supplying clean and natural products. Australian products including honey, fruit juices, milk, breakfast cereals and confectionary can be found in most of the superstores in Dhaka and Chittagong, while most five star hotels and a number of well known restaurants use the finest Australian produce.
Continuing the celebration of Australian produce, The Westin Dhaka Hotel will host a Modern Australian Food Promotion from 30 May to 12 June in its Taste restaurant. Sydney Rock Oysters, Moreton Bay Bugs, Tasmanian Oak Smoked Salmon and much more, including delicious desserts, will all be available.
Australian High Commission, Dhaka, 29 May 2009
For further information please contact
Senior Political & Economic Research Officer
Tel: 8813105, E-mail: [email protected]