I think that judging from some of the comments
on this thread - the prejudice, bigotry, and
bias, displayed by the comments are a pretty
good match for any other bigotry that may
be out there.

Sadly, prejudice creates what it fears. The racism of the
minority and that of the broader society simply
reinforce each other. And of course our governments,
their policies, past and present, and the media,
don't help matters.

As Dr Eva Sallis tells us:

"If contemporary Australians are to live at ease with
ourselves, we need more education, less fear mongering,
and not least, greater honesty about the culture of
racism that is damaging us."

cont'd ...

"If the first words out of your mouth are to cry -
"Political correctness!" ...
chances are very, very, high that you are in fact
part of the problem."

Foxy "I stopped reading your post after your reference to options"

No, you read the whole thing.
You just have no legitimate way to contradict it.

Ethnic separatism is the historical and contemporary norm.
The natural inclination.

Multiculturalism is a dishonest, delusional, fabricated absurdity that truly satisfies the social needs of neither host nor guest.

"Melbourne has so many excellent restaurants"

And ethnic criminal networks they pay protection money to.

Paul1405 "tried a Colombian Rice Pudding"

And people had to migrate all this way to cook it for you?

No, you just need (a) a recipe and (b) the ingredients.
You don't need a different accent or skin colour to cook it.

Cooking is *learned* behaviour. It's not genetically inherited.

Dear Shocker,

I don't read your posts in their entirety.

I don't have to. They're all identical.
And as for countering your arguments.
I think your posts speak for themselves
completely.

Cooking is definitely - learned behaviour - that was the
point being made. One becomes a good Chef
from being taught by other Master Chefs in
the cuisine one is interested in. Learning from books
just isn't the same thing - as any good Chef will tell you.

Racism is also learned behaviour - and sadly it
can be passed on from one generation to another.
Luckily for us - most Australians feel that although it
may be natural to develop prejudices.
It is noble to rise above them.

Exactly Shockadelic, I worked in a large French restaurant for four years back in the 90's, most of the time there weren't actually any French chefs in the brigade, it was mainly White Aussies from the Western suburbs, a few Chinese and Indians and Poms.

Foxy, yes that's why people have always traveled abroad to study and returned with the latest "continental techniques".
Does it matter who's cooking the meal as long as they're properly trained?
Surely you and your fellow gourmands are assembled primarily to enjoy each other's company and the ambiance of the restaurant?
We go to local pub,for family gatherings and everyone pretty much orders the same thing every time, my wife gets the seafood platter, I have the Parmagiana, my older daughter has the chicken Kiev and the youngest daughter the garlic prawns.
The place is packed out on Saturday nights with heaps of Asian and Indian families out enjoying themselves as well, but go down to High st with it's half dozen Asian restaurants and for the most part they're half full or less.