The matriarch of the Australian food scene, Margaret Fulton, has passed away.

“The family of Margaret Fulton are today mourning the loss of their loving, inspirational and treasured mother, grandmother and great-grandmother this morning. They will release a statement in due course. Respect for their privacy at this time would be greatly appreciated,” her granddaughter Kate Gibbs told delicious.

The inspiring writer, author and food commentator is credited with changing the food landscape in Australia, opening up the national palate to diverse, multi-cultural flavours.

Over the years, Margaret has published a significant number of cookbooks and resources, with the Margaret Fulton Cookbook and the Encyclopaedia of Food and Cookery, considered culinary bibles. She has also been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her contributions to food writing and cookery.

“Margaret has rightly been named the woman who taught Australia how to cook. Her enormous popularity and commercial success was matched with an encyclopaedic knowledge. She was also a great innovator, as well as a brilliant teacher,” said her publisher, Hardie Grant Books, in a statement.