First off, some true blue facts about Australia Day. We celebrate it like Americans do your July 4, or Canadians do on July 1, but it’s more like our version of Plymouth Rock. Officially, 26th of January marks the date when the First Fleet landed in Sydney in 11 ships with nearly 1,500 rather dodgy characters on board, 2 bulls, 7 cows and 44 sheep to settle in Australia. That was the last time there were more people than sheep in Australia! Since then, we round up our mates, cook up a heap of good food, drink a fair bit, and generally have a party every January 26th.
Aussie Rules
So what are the rules for a good Australia Day? Trick question, because there are none. That would be un-Australian! There should be food, preferably grilled on something like a barbie. Definitely drinks of the adult variety. And absolutely a solid group of your mates old or new, and preferably both!
Our mate and Aussie Lambassador Chef Aaron Brooks has become a bit known in Miami for his Australia Day fests. “I love to get together with some of my chef mates here in Miami and throw together a party for the community. It’s always a hit, and it’s become something people look forward to.”
This year, Chef partnered up with Bay 13 Brewing for “Woop Woop Fest” – so there was plenty of the old amber fluid on hand to go with the #aussome Aussie grub. Who could say no to Spiced Aussie Lamb Rack with Chickpeas, Cilantro Chutney, Cashews and Coconut? Or a Grass Fed Aussie Beef Steak Sandwich with Tamarind BBQ Sauce, Foie Gras Pate and Truffle Onions on a Brioche Bun? Of course there were Aussie lamb gyros, housemade Aussie lamb snags (aka sausages) and meat pies. Nice one mate!
Meat pies and merriment at Bay 13 Brewing's Woop Woop Fest.
You don’t have to be an Aussie to celebrate Australia Day! Fellow lambassador Chef James “JP” Patterson hosted an Australia Day celebration at Porters Neck Country Club in North Carolina, replete with Australian wines and a four-course meal, including a Charred Aussie Lamb Porterhouse with Fig Cascabel Sauce and a Red Wine and Rosemary Braised Aussie Lamb Shank. Tasty!
An Aussie event through and through- from Lamb Porterhouse to Pavlova!
What will you do to celebrate Australia Day next 26 Jan? Make it bonza, and make sure there’s plenty of Aussie lamb on hand. Check out this recipe set for inspo, and drop us a line – we'd love to help!