Happy London Lamington Day!

Sunday, 26 January, is officially Australia Day. In recent years there has been much debate on whether the date should be moved. While many Australians see it as a chance to celebrate the country's lifestyle, culture and achievements, the date is not a happy one for Australia's Indigenous people.

Whether you wish to celebrate this day or not, if you live in London one thing you must celebrate is the invasion of Australia’s little square of yumminess – the Lamington - specially crafted sponge soaked in chocolate sauce and rolled in coconut – mmmmmm!  Many argue over it’s origin. The preferred local story is one of pure butter fingers – the story is set at Old Government House in Brisbane, when a servant accidently dropped pieces of sponge cake on the floor and covered it in chocolate icing and coconut to cover up the fumble.  However, the more likely story is that Lamington’s were invented by Armand Galland, the French chef to Lord Lamington, Governor of Queensland from 1896 to 1901.  When asked to feed some unexpected guests Galland cut up some left-over sponge cake, dipped the slices in chocolate and covered them in coconut.  In 2014, The Guardian published an article claiming to show that lamingtons were actually invented in New Zealand where they were originally known as ‘wellingtons’. First the pavlova and now this! There was outrage. Then people noticed the date of the article – April 1^st - Whew! See the full article here:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/01/lamington-invented-in-new-zealand-new-research-proves-beyond-doubt

As I stand in my kitchen covered in chocolate and coconut after a family lamington session (chocolate dipping and coconut rolling can be enjoyed by all ages from 4 – 45!), I rejoice that the little Aussie square of yumminess found its way to the shores of old Blighty, and can now be found in many London cafes and markets - HAPPY LONDON LAMINGTON DAY!

To try out your own family lamington session use Jamie Oliver’s recipe - it’s fool proof and delicious!  https://www.jamieoliver.com/news-and-features/features/australia-homemade-lamingtons/