A variety of cooking and food events wrapped up this year’s series of Shepparton Culture Kitchen at the weekend.
But plans are already in the works to bring the successful workshops and dining experiences back next year.
Participant Ane Fotu is set to co-ordinate the program next year. She said it helped her realise she was “an artist in my own way”.
“I can’t sing, I can’t dance, so I tell my stories through cooking,” she said.
“What better way to share your culture but through food?”
Ms Fotu hosted a three-course meal on Friday, May 13 using traditional Tongan recipes and methods, but “with a twist”.
“We’ve got to make do with what we have here,” she said.
Shepparton Culture Kitchen also hosted East African coffee and cakes, served by Agoness Kuol, and Shakilla Naveed demonstrated how to cook home-style Afghan food.
Eman Alabbassi spent time at the program asking children what traditional foods they enjoyed.
“I just want to get the message to young people that your culture and your food is important,” she said.
“We’re lucky because we live in a diverse community with many different backgrounds, and we all respect each other.”
Multicultural Arts Victoria senior projects advisor Anita Larkin said the program was a vehicle for people to experience different cultures.
“This has been about experiencing the culture and the stories behind the food,” she said.
“It’s a chance to experience some more aspects of culture people would tend to keep in community.”
Shepparton Culture Kitchens is produced with Multicultural Arts Victoria, Greater Shepparton City Council and Point of Difference Studio.