Rita Erlich

Rita Erlich is an Australian food writer, researcher, lecturer, broadcaster and consultant whose work explores the connections between cooking, ingredients, seasons, culture and community. She describes cooking as a language and an ongoing conversation with the people, places and traditions that shape what we eat. Through her website, Erlich shares recipes, food and travel writing, ideas, and reflections on restaurants, wine, farms and hospitality.

Her weekly “What’s Rita Cooking?” feature grew from daily posts created during Victoria’s early COVID-19 restrictions and continues to showcase her seasonally influenced home cooking. Recipes include comforting dishes such as pasta e fagioli and mushroom soufflé. Erlich is also working on a book, What’s Rita Cooking?, bringing together recipes she considers especially significant and memorable.

Her professional contributions have been recognised with membership of the Order of Australia for service to tourism and hospitality in Victoria, and France’s Order of Agricultural Merit for her connection to gastronomy. Her work combines practical culinary knowledge with thoughtful storytelling about food and the people behind it