The popular and authentic Lygon Street

Lygon St is often described as the ‘Little Italy of Melbourne’, with a warm and traditional atmosphere. Upon arrival, your eyes are instantly drawn to the gorgeous two-story restaurants that line the street; a stark contrast to the modern skyscrapers filling the CBD, just minutes away. The cuisine that calls this street home is predominantly dominated by the food of first- or second-generation Italian migrants, many of whom arrived in the 1950s after the war, their migration allowing for the spread of Italian cuisine and integration into Australian culture. I was quickly attracted to the foodscape around me by the staff ushering customers in, the Italian music surrounding us and the smell of rich sauces wafting through the air. Using my new knowledge on the subject, walking past each establishment I quickly came to notice the emphasis placed on authenticity, not only as a means of expressing national identity, but also as a means of branding. One could quickly tell that we weren’t just being sold food, but also the authentic Italian experience in a familiar environment. Although I don’t have a strong cultural connection to food, eating a hearty gnocchi with a group of new friends brought me back to my days of travel and feelings of nostalgia from memories dominated by food. When I was 15, I stayed with a family in France and despite significant language barriers, the entire household was brought together at each mealtime, with food acting as a means of not only expressing their French identity, but also their connection to family and friends, making it arguably the most powerful social tool of all, a concept that is very evident and valued in our given foodscape.