Lawyer’s call to rename SA’s iconic Kitchener bun

It’s the iconic sweet treat South Australians have been indulging in for more than a century but a Melbourne lawyer wants to put an end to the cream-filled Kitchener bun.

It’s the iconic sweet treat South Australians have been indulging in for more than a century.

But now a Melbourne-based lawyer wants to put an end to the jam and cream-filled Kitchener bun, at the least the name it has been known by since about 1915.

James Unkles argues the sweet pastry’s namesake, military leader Lord Kitchener, is just not worthy of being celebrated in such delicious style, accusing him of war crimes.

“The evidence I have uncovered points to serious war crimes by Kitchener during military operations ... and the illegal treatment in the trial and sentencing of three Australian volunteers, Lieutenants Harry ‘Breaker’ Morant, Peter Handcock and George Witton who served during the Boer war,” he said.

Norwood’s Enjoy Cafe Bakery worker, Stella Glynn, holding a plate of their popular Kitchener buns. Picture: Emma Brasier

Mr Unkles has spent years campaigning for the pardon of Morant and Handcock, who were executed by firing squad; their death warrants personally signed by Lord Kitchener.

“The evidence reveals a dark side to Kitchener’s conduct including the summary execution of wounded combatants committed on the battlefield, atrocities against innocent civilians ... and creation of concentration camps that resulted in the deaths of thousands of women and children,” Mr Unkles said.

“It is time to rename the bun … while I appreciate the history behind the Kitchener bun, the honour is not deserved.

“The question for South Australians is, do they want an Aussie dessert named after a British general who inflicted horrendous suffering on wounded combatants and civilians in the pursuit of war?

“The bun carries the name of a war criminal, and surely that is unpleasant when enjoying the delicacy.’

Lord Kitchener.

Mr Unkles argues it would be fitting to name the bun, based on the German Berliner, after an Australian war hero.

But Noel Carrodus who has operated Norwood’s Enjoy Cafe Bakery for the past 16 years isn’t so sure the popular doughnut-like treat needs a rebrand.

“I think it is a great name … it is an iconic South Australian treat,” he said.

Mr Carrodus says as the weather cools down, requests for Kitchener buns rise.

“I think it is the jam and the cream … people can’t get enough of it in the winter,” he said.