When “quality” is on the table, three things matter most: knowing the source, the efficient supply chain, and the final product. And in this case, we’re talking about the excellent cuts of meat and fine bottles of wine from Australia.
Vietnam and Australia have maintained a prospering bilateral relationship, flourishing trade, and equally vibrant culinary cultures over the years. Taste of Australia 2022 is an annual celebration showcasing the best of Australian food, wine and culture highlighting Australia’s international reputation as a high-quality, safe, and reliable supplier of food and beverages.
As part of the celebration, Hao Tran, Vietcetera CEO and lover of Australian products spoke to Rebecca Ball from Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) and Chef Chris Donnellan from Stoker Woodfired Grill & Bar over Wagyu tartare, dry-aged porterhouse steak, and Pinot wine.
Chris owns a few food venues specializing in wood-fired and dry-aged beef. On the other hand, Rebecca is Austrade Vietnam’s Senior Trade Commissioner focusing on growing Australia’s trade, investment, and education relationship with Vietnam and Cambodia.
Opening the Taste of Australia series, the first episode discusses how and why there’s a growing demand for Australian products in Vietnam.
Pay a premium for premium products
When Hao asked why Australian meat is popular in Vietnam and what are some trends she sees in the market, Chef Chris and Rebecca mentioned a few points:
- The integrity of the supply chain - “One’s thing that’s really clear is the growing consciousness of understanding where it comes from, the provenance, the integrity of the supply chain.” She adds that all Australian beef and lamb can be traced to where it’s grown, “right back to every cow and sheep.” It matters because trust comes when people know where it comes from. And when trust is there, people agree to pay a premium for a cut of meat or a bottle of wine.
- Australian products offer consistently good quality - The term high-quality is not something the Australian farmers and winemakers take for granted. Most of their beef is grass-fed and raised under strict nutrition guidelines without compromising the welfare of the animals. As for their wine, the excellent taste is a product of having the ideal climate, the attention to detail put into the process, and the diversity and the diversity and innovative approach of the Australian winemakers in trying out new processes.
- Going back to the supply chain, Rebecca said consumers, as well as business owners distributing Australian products to Vietnam, are starting to understand why the distance (between two countries) and ability to travel by freight quickly are extremely important in preserving the quality of a product.
After all, to really enjoy a prime piece of meat, you must pair it with the perfect high-quality wine. And if you’re lucky enough to be in Vietnam, you’ve got plenty of options to choose from, thanks to the supplies from the Land Down Under.
Besides premium beef and wine, a growing range of Australian products from fresh fruits, dairy, and seafood is already available in Vietnam.
More of Chef Chris’ outstanding recipes and Rebecca’s quality talks below.
