Photographer Ned Meldrum and I travelled around Australia, meeting publicans, chefs and a wide assortment of colourful locals, to showcase the histories and recipes of over 30 iconic pubs.

Recipes ranged from the traditional pub fare of chicken parmas and fish and chips to contemporary Australian cuisine such as emu teriyaki and yabby salad with lemon myrtle mayonnaise. Stories ranged from tales of bushrangers and bar walls pockmarked by bullet holes, to legendary meat raffles and resident ghosts (every pub has one).

Tough gig, but someone had to do it.