Margaret Fulton has been fondly remembered for her generosity, warmth, a force of character and cheekiness in a state memorial service in Sydney.
The country's "first domestic goddess" was farewelled by hundreds at the service led by master of ceremonies Mike Carlton at the Art Gallery of NSW on Monday.
Fulton died in July at the age of 94.
She penned more than 20 books including the seminal Margaret Fulton Cookbook in 1968 - and in doing so, introduced the nation to a world of cooking beyond the traditional meat and three veg.
Media personality Lyndey Milan said there was hardly a household in Australia that didn't own at least one Fulton book.
"She has metaphorically stood beside so many of us as we learned to cook," Ms Milan said.
"It is largely through Margaret's inspiration and example that younger Australians realised the pleasurable and creative possibilities of fine dining and our national cuisine was transformed."
Ms Milan reflected on Fulton's many honours - with the food icon receiving an OAM in 1983, being named a National Living Treasure by the National Trust in 1998 and serving as honorary governor of the University of Sydney Nutrition Research Foundation.
"But I think her greatest honour was the effect she had on everyday Australians - you and me, and everybody else out there," Ms Milan said.
Maggie Beer, Matt Moran NSW governor Margaret Beazley, MP Gabrielle Upton and former NSW governor Marie Bashir were among the attendees on Monday, along with Fulton's family.
