You Eat What You Are: People, Culture and Food Traditions
The Barr-Smith Library Staff Review An Awful Book
Thelma Barer-Stein, You Eat What You Are: People, Culture and Food Traditions (Willowdale, Ont: Firefly, 1999).
You eat what you are?
This amazingly inaccurate book would probably get an unofficial "Reference Book of the Month" award from Research & Reference staff, on the grounds that it made us laugh so much. Republished in 2001, You Eat What You Are is the brainchild of Thelma Barer-Stein. Her preface explains that she wrote the book "in an unrelenting grip of single minded excitement" inspired by her family and friends and "the excitement of the librarians who helped me." It’s not surprising that Thelma Barer-Stein was excited; she received "32 publishing rejections" when she was trying to promote her work. Quite frankly, it’s a pity that it wasn’t thirty-three.
If we "eat what we are," then what are Australians, according to Ms. Barer-Stein? We are "simple" (we’re also uncomplicated, wholesome and unsophisticated): "The staples of the Australian diet can be described as ‘steak and eggs’ and the preference for simple, solid food shows up on the spice shelf . . . . not for them mysterious mixtures of creamed or sauced vegetables . . . . Following the Australians’ preference for simplicity, fish is served fresh and prepared in a simple way . . . . simple puddings will be the dessert . . . . Not for the Australian any complex form of seasoning." Etc.
Oh, and "Australians are not generally keen about eating out" (presumably we’re too busy enjoying simple home cooking to venture out to restaurants).
While we’re not being simple, we’re eating meat. But only red meat because "pork and poultry are not used with any regularity." Although "the Australian woman taking her lunch at home will eat sparsely," the workers are all out there having "an inexpensive hot plate of mince, potato, and peas, or a meat pie with beer." They’re all big eaters, too. "Finally, it must be noted that steak and eggs really are a classic favorite and considered the perfect breakfast, lunch or supper and even–for heartier Aussies–a snack."
And what are we drinking, according to Ms. Barer-Stein? "Women favor tea, men enjoy beer, and children drink milk at most meals." The tea-drinking is explained by the simplicity of the appliances in our kitchens: "Most popular is the hot water jug, available in different sizes . . . . practical in a land where frequent cups of tea are the daily rule." We really are very deprived in our kitchen equipment: "Home freezers are not yet common, so there are few frozen products available to the consumer."
The author includes only one reference to Australian wine, but many on beer: "The three-meals-a-day pattern is prevalent, with morning and afternoon breaks usually consisting of tea or beer . . . . Simple barbecued meats (together with) a good supply of beer spell good times and a festive occasion . . . . Aside from going to (local bars) to enjoy beer with friends . . . . Anzac Day is marked by a parade of "old diggers" (soldiers) and beer parties…Special occasions such as Race Days, or local sports events, are celebrated with picnics, barbecues and plentiful beer."
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