Food in Victoria

Find information about cooking, cookbooks, restaurants, nutrition, agriculture, provisioning and food studies

Subject Librarian

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Jane Miller
Contact:
Contact me via our online reference service citing my name and the title of this guide

Welcome

This guide will help you explore the story of food in Victoria. Our exhibition Gusto! a culinary history of Victoria, used the Library's rich collections to illustrate the role food has played in Victoria’s history. Likewise, this guide continues to tell the story of contemporary food production and consumption in Victoria whilst placing it in a social, cultural, health and environmental context.

This guide refers to primarily Victorian materials – both in hard copy and digital formats as well as linking to external resources.

Books and pamphlets

Each of the following sections includes a list of useful books and pamphlets, along with links to searches in the Library catalogue for further reading. 

Journals and magazines

The library subscribes to a range of hardcopy and electronic journals. All online resources are available inside the Library, and selected resources are available off site for Victorian members.  You can also search for journal articles using the online catalogue.  Choose 'Articles' from the dropdown list next to the Search box.

Databases

Food - databases covering a wide range of issues relating to food, across a range of time periods and formats. All available from home with State Library membership.

Newspapers

Newspapers are a rich source of information, and many papers are now available online. The Library collection includes hardcopy and online newspapers. For research help, consult our  research guides:  How to find items in newspapers and How to find newspapers.

Pictures Collection

This collection includes a wide range of images to illustrate the story of food in Victoria. The Picture research guide will help you get started.

A billy and other cooking utensils...

Civilization in the bush

Civilization in the bush, H96.160/560

From the Pictures Collection

The indomitable Twid serves a meal. Edna Walling Collection

The indomitable Twid serves a meal. Edna Walling Collection, H99.120/27

Kugelhupf cake recipe ready to serve with Friandises on George II salver. Image copyright Mark Strizic

 Kugelhupf cake recipe ready to serve with Friandises on George II salver. Image copyright Mark Strizic, H2008.11/462

In the Asian Food Market, Victoria St., Richmond. July 1988. Building a country archive

In the Asian Food Market, Victoria St., Richmond. July 1988. Building a country archive, H92.250/289