TRADITIONAL Australian cuisine is celebrated in a new book by Corlette resident Sharon Robards.

A first time writer, Mrs Robards said the book was inspired by her grandmother and aimed to familiarise people with the many flavours of Australian cooking.

“My grandmother brought me my first typewriter when I was nine years old and I have been writing ever since,” she said.

Mrs Robards said it was the loss of her grandmother that first prompted her to begin writing the book.

“When she [grandmother] died I really missed her cooking and wanted to put together a group of recipes that really captured the essence of traditional Australian cooking,” she said.

The book took 18 months to write and covers all aspects of Australian cuisine including meat, light dishes, desserts and a section on native bush tucker.

“There is a special part of the book which includes recipes by Vic Cherikoff who is credited as being a pioneer of native Australian food, Mrs Robards said.

Also included in the book are a number of beautiful photographs that Mrs Robards collected from photographers around the world.

Mrs Robards said it had been a life-long dream to have a book published and the experience was rewarding.

“It gives a great sense of achievement and it has my grandmother’s name in it,” she said.