Symposiums of Australian Gastronomy (SAG) have been held every 18 months to two years since March 1984. There have been 25 SAGs, the latest being held in Launceston 8 – 12 July 2024.
Michael Symons giving the opening address to the First SAG defined the Symposium:
The purpose in my mind is to establish or help establish gastronomy in this country and also to discuss the Australian cuisine. I want to clarify the words astronomy and cuisine as I understand them. I think gastronomy is the study of eating, and studies the Australian cuisine amongst other things. Cuisine in that sense is just a style of eating.
SAGs have brought together academicians, food writers, non-academic food historians and those with an interest in Australian food.
I want to look at where Aboriginal peoples and their cuisines have been part of SAGs through cultural practices, papers, and food.
