A broader palate? The new and exotic food experiences of the Australian imperial force 1914–1918

Abstract

This article explores the new food experiences of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) during the First World War, drawing evidence from scholarly works, archives and soldier accounts. Having come from a predominantly British food culture in Australia, the AIF encountered new tastes and eating habits in the Middle East and Europe, which they experienced in dual roles as soldiers and tourists. Some soldiers responded warmly while others reacted defensively to these new foodways such as self-catering, exotic ingredients and dishes, regular dining out and new food customs. The lack of long-term impact of these novel experiences on Australian foodways is also noted.

Keywords:

• Australian diet
• Australian Imperial Force
• culinary history
• World War One

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.