Norfolk Islander Cuisine

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Overview of Norfolk Islander Cuisine History
Norfolk Island is situated in the Southern Pacific, between New Caledonia and New Zeeland. The relief is very rocky, so the agricultural possibilities are limited. Still, there are some plantations of cotton, banana trees and citrus fruits, which are the bases for most of the Norfolk Island’s desserts. Fishing is a major activity and it even includes whale fishing. Norfolk Island is a territory that belongs to Australia, so there are many Australian dietary habits in the culinary culture of Norfolk Island. Due to its proximity to new Zeeland, this culture is also felt ion the local cuisine of the inhabitants. The cuisine in characterized by the fish meals, which include regular and rare species, which are served with the local breads, vegetables and with sweeter meals, made of fruit tarts and fruit purees. More modern meals, like fries and Australian dishes are also very popular all around the island.

Cuisines of Norfolk Island


Norfolk Island is a very small territory, so there aren’t any culinary differences between its regions. Seafood is the staple meal in the Norfolk Island cuisine, regardless of the region. Most of the restaurants on all coasts, especially in Kingston, serve the seafood and really fresh fish, served shortly after fishing them. The traditional dishes that can be found in all restaurants on the island are the pilhai, the hihi pai and the mudda. In more touristy areas, there is a variety of Italian and Chinese and Indian dishes. Still, the most traditional dishes are based on the Polynesian recipes. In many restaurants, there are theme dinners or progressive meals, which are very complex and rich, but also innovative. Norfolk Island has only 2000 inhabitants, which are mostly Pitcairn descendants, Australians and New Zealanders. Considering this, there is no surprise that the island’s cuisine is very much influenced by the Australian one and the New Zeeland’s diet.

Preparation Methods for Norfolk Islander Cooking
The cuisine of Norfolk Island uses elements from various cooking traditions borrowed from their neighbors and developed from their own traditional dishes. While there are no specific or unique preparation methods for Norfolk Island cooking, we should point out that attention to detail is important in the Norfolk Island cuisine. Using the right amount of spices for example is essential – either for spicing up the taste or for coloring the dish. The diversity of vegetables and cereals found in Norfolk Island is also noticed in the delicious dishes belonging to their cuisine. The visual attractiveness of the dish is also important, and a balance between colors and proportion differentiates. Each traditional dish has a special cooking method, which is more or less general in all of Norfolk Island’s regions. Meat is one of the main elements of most Norfolk Island dishes and cured and smoked hams are often parts of delicious dishes.

Special Equipment for Norfolk Islander Cooking
There is a wide spectrum that includes cake pans, can openers, colanders, egg rings, poachers and holders, food dishers & portioners, food pans & food containers and other kitchen utensils, such as food scales, food scoops and fryer baskets & accessories, the Norfolk Island cuisine needs a diverse cooking equipment set in order to produce the most sophisticated Norfolk Island dishes. You should consider insulated food carriers if you are transporting the food and a full set of kitchen linens and uniforms if you wish to look like a pro. Here are a few other items that will come handy while cooking Norfolk Island food: juicers, kitchen knives, kitchen slicers, kitchen thermometers, measuring cups & measuring spoons, miscellaneous utensils, mixing bowls and skimmers & strainers. Essential utensils like serving spoons, spatulas, forks, turners, scrapers and tongs should also be part of your cooking "arsenal".

Norfolk Islander Food Traditions and Festivals
The celebrations in Norfolk Island are very joyful and enjoyed by both the inhabitants and the tourists (there are around 30 000 tourists annually). On all special occasions the inhabitants of the islands consume traditional home made meals, like ika mata, which is a raw fish dish (the fish is marinated in lime juice, with tomatoes, onions and coconut cream), the mahi mahi ( a sort of dolphin dish), the pakati (Parrot Fish with lime sauce) and the tantalizing tropical fruits. There are some other delicacies, like the iced desserts and spicy tarts, which are consumed as snacks and entries.

People in Norfolk Islander Food

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Norfolk Island chefs are passionate about their traditional dishes and they enjoy presenting them to foreigners who have never tasted them before. There are many chefs who creatively use the basic ingredients and cooking method for traditional Norfolk Island dishes and create original and delicious food variations. Whether they are cooking dishes that go back in time for centuries or brand new, modern dishes, Norfolk Island chefs take pride in what they do, and this is readily noticeable in the unforgettable taste of their cooking.