I disagree.
That used to be the case until the 1980's when we were still hampered by memories of rationing during and after WW2.
In fact as a child, going to restaurants was a relatively new thing and there were limited options, but these days, food in major cities is some of the best in the world and food in most places is exceptional.
Admittedly we can also do bad food very well, but apart from holding more Michelin stars that any other comparable size country, we have also held the title of worlds best restaurant frequently with chefs like Heston Blumenthal, Marco Pierre White and Gordon Ramsey showing the world how to cook.
The Roux brothers were part of the catalyst for this, having trained many of the current cohort of great chefs and the second generation of Roux's are just starting to retire having played their part.
Another catalyst was our introspection, knew we didn't have a great food culture, so, like Australia, we stole from the rest of the world and brought it to the UK. Our street food scene is among the best in the world and most major cities have the best of pretty much every cuisine imaginable.
Where we differ is our native cuisine, which can and is highly criticised. The Sunday roast or Fish and Chips is traditional uninspiring food for the masses and still loved by much of the older generation.
One thing we share with Australia which is unique and misunderstood by much of the rest of the world is the savoury pie. Steak and Kidney or Chicken and Ham pies are divine and most cultures will never get to appreciate this great culinary delight.
Many cultures have great local cuisine that we lack, but few cultures have as great an international cuisine as we get to enjoy on a daily basis.
