Game to try the Cooks Companion?
Weekly Times online, Friday, April 24, 2009
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has a copy in his kitchen, while Victorian Senator Julian McGauran thinks his edition highlights the importance of hunting in Australia.
Not many cookbooks become lobbying tools in the hallowed halls of Parliament House.
But when the Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia released its first foray into culinary publishing this year, titled Cooks Companion, it served a dual purpose.
“Initially the book was written for members to purchase,” says editor Tim Bannister.
“But it also became a showcase for hunting, an educational tool. It shows the community why we hunt. Just like fishing, it’s to put a meal on the table.
“We sent a copy to all Federal politicians and we received positive feedback from many, including Mr Rudd and Warren Truss.”
Tim says while the book has a tasty array of meaty dishes, it has also raised debate: the waste of kangaroo meat and culling under the current permit system, the health benefits of eating low-fat game meats and the arguments behind duck hunting.
“It has also assisted in discussing the broader subject of utilising Australia’s game animals in a sustainable way,” he says.
“Many people are happy to eat kangaroo, duck and venison at a fine dining restaurant, but are appalled at the idea of hunters sourcing the meat themselves for their own tables.”
Tim says years ago supermarkets changed styrofoam packets of meat from white to black, as they thought consumers did not like to be confronted with blood.
“I think we have turned a corner,” he says.
“We have realised the obesity problem, we want to know what we are eating and where we get our food from and that it’s ethical.”
The SSAA has a national membership of 120,000, with 25,000 in Victoria.
More than 300 recipes were sent in by members, with venison schnitzel being the most popular.
To order a copy, phone 02 8805 3900 or email mem@ssaa.org.au
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