Subway Brings Back Anzac Bickie After 17 Years – For a Good Cause
Freshly baked Anzac biscuit with Aussie flag – Image created by ChatGPT with DALL·E by OpenAI.
VOCABULARY LIST
Bickie (noun) /ˈbɪki/: (Aussie slang) Short for biscuit; a sweet, baked treat.
There’s nothing better than a cuppa with a fresh Anzac bickie.Hiatus (noun) /haɪˈeɪtəs/: A break or pause in something.
The treat is back after a 17-year hiatus.Bin (verb) /bɪn/: (Informal) To throw something away or cancel it.
Subway binned the bickie in 2008 due to costs.Baked by the book (phrase) /beɪkt baɪ ðə bʊk/: Made strictly following the rules or original recipe.
This time, the bickie is baked by the book.Care package (noun) /kɛə ˈpækɪdʒ/: A box of food or supplies sent to someone, often as a gift or support.
Soldiers received care packages with Anzac bickies during WWI.Cop it on the chin (phrase) /kɒp ɪt ɒn ðə tʃɪn/: (Aussie slang) To accept a bad situation bravely.
Subway copped it on the chin and brought the bickie back.Proceeds (noun) /ˈproʊsidz/: Money earned from an event or sale, often for charity.
Proceeds from sales go to veterans.Review (noun/verb) /rəˈvju/: To judge or describe the quality of something.
The food blogger gave the bickie a 7.5 out of 10 in his review.Hybrid (noun) /ˈhaɪbrɪd/: A mix of two different things.
It’s a fun little Subway–Anzac bickie hybrid.Advocate (verb) /ˈædvəkeɪt/: To publicly support a cause or person.
The RSL advocates for veterans' rights.
ARTICLE
Subway is bringing back a popular Aussie treat – the Anzac bickie – for the first time since 2008. But this time, it’s not just about flavour. The money from sales will go to help Australian veterans.
Back in 2008, Subway stopped selling the Anzac bickie because they wanted to change the recipe to save money. But there are strict rules for Anzac bickies — they must follow the traditional recipe. Because Subway’s version didn’t, they weren’t allowed to sell it.
Anzac bickies have a special place in Aussie history. They were made during World War I and sent in care packages to soldiers in Gallipoli and on the Western Front. The bickies didn’t go off quickly, so they were better than the usual army food. Today, the name “Anzac bickie” is protected by law, and sellers must keep to the original recipe.
Now Subway is doing it right. They’re baking the bickies “by the book” and donating the proceeds to the Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL). RSL President Greg Melick said the money will help support programs for former soldiers across the country.
Instagram food reviewer “Russ Eats” tried the new bickie. He said it was good that Subway is donating the money, but he focused only on the taste. “You can tell it’s a Subway cookie, but it has the feel of a proper homemade Anzac bickie.” He gave it 7.5 out of 10 and said nothing beats a home-cooked one.
The special Anzac bickie will be available at Subway from 7 April to 4 May, 2025.
SOURCE:
This article is based on: https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/eat/viral-anzac-treat-is-back-on-menus-after-a-17-year-long-hiatus/news-story/487f8ad43dfdcbd4aa6d134c6a20b097
Reflection Questions
Instructions:
Use these questions as:
– Speaking practice (e.g. talk to yourself, record and listen back)
– Writing practice (e.g. short paragraph answers)
– Class discussion with your teacher or classmates
Have you ever tried an Anzac biscuit? If not, would you like to?
Do you think it’s important to follow traditional recipes for cultural foods? Why or why not?
Have you ever donated to a charity by buying something?
What food from your culture would you send to someone far away?
Do you follow any food reviewers online? What do you think of their opinions?
Comprehension activity - multiple choice
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