Exhibition showcases Melbourne's iconic street foods history

A new exhibition at the Town Hall in Melbourne highlights the street foods that have shaped the city's culinary history. Titled "The Dirty Dozen," it features ceramic sculptures made by artist Kenny Pittock, showcasing foods like oysters, dim sims, and hamburgers. The exhibition includes 12 iconic street foods, reflecting Melbourne's evolution. These foods were chosen for their historical significance and cultural impact. They include native oysters, saveloys, ice cream, meat pies, fruit, coffee, fish and chips, dim sims, hamburger, Chiko rolls, souvlaki, and halal snack packs. Curator Richard Cornish emphasizes the transient nature of street food and its deep-rooted connections to social history. He noted that many street foods represent the working class and are often overlooked in art. Cornish shared that the angasi oyster, once abundant, was a staple for Indigenous peoples before its decline due to settlement. The exhibition also highlights the influence of immigration on Melbourne's food scene, particularly the adaptation of Chinese dumplings into the famous dim sim. Cornish believes that the city's street food reflects broader themes of struggle and resilience over time. Kenny Pittock described his work as a celebration of everyday life. He hopes the exhibition encourages visitors to reflect on their own food memories and connections. The exhibit is part of the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival and is free to the public from March 21 to March 30, 2025.