Story: Cooking

Anna Pavlova and her baked namesake

Anna Pavlova and her baked namesake

The pavlova – a large meringue cake – is one of New Zealand's best-known baked goods. Named after Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, who toured New Zealand and Australia in 1926, the origins of the pavlova have been the subject of great debate, with both countries claiming ownership of the dish. New Zealand food historian Helen Leach has established that the first known recipe for the pavlova as a meringue cake was published in New Zealand in 1929.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, S. P. Andrew Collection (PAColl-3739)
Reference: 1/1-019151-F
Photograph by Stanley Polkinghorne Andrew

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

Pavlova photograph by Melanie Lovell-Smith, Te Ara - Encyclopedia of New Zealand

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How to cite this page:

David Burton, 'Cooking - Cooking methods', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/38530/anna-pavlova-and-her-baked-namesake (accessed 24 April 2024)

Story by David Burton, published 5 Sep 2013