St Marys Corner Community and Cultural Precinct in partnership with Penrith City Council and Nepean Multicultural Access invited six individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse communities with connections to St Marys to participate in conversations about food and cooking.
Two local artists captured the experience of cooking and produced six unique videos exploring the journey from purchasing the ingredients from a local grocery store in Queen Street to cooking with family and friends in the family kitchen.
These unique videos celebrate the different cultures explored, photographing key moments and capturing the audio of conversations between participants, sometimes slipping into their native tongues. The videos are 3-5 minutes in length.
The six participants share personal stories behind the dishes and have written their stories and recipes in their own native languages. Translations have been accredited by Ethnic Interpreters and Translators.
Project participants, cultures and spices include:
- Japanese: Cooking with Tomoko Ward, Lisa Koek and Japanese Community Women’s Group – Sushi/Wasabi
- Iranian: Cooking with Batoul Ansaritarghi – Ghormeh Sabzi with Fenugreek Leaves
- Afghani: Cooking with Roza Akel and Rahima Soltani – Quabili Pallow (Ghabali Polo) with Cumin
- Filipino: Cooking with Aida Basto and members of Philippines Language and Cultural Association Australia – Beef Mechado, Bay Leaf
- Indian: Cooking with Barjinder Kaur – Curry with Coriander and Cumin
- Egyptian: Cooking with Hanaa Louka Magar Guirgis – Fava Beans with Cumin
The local retailers visited and featured in the videos:
- Phil Asian Foodmart – Filipino Grocery on Green
- Jayam Supermarket – Indian, Arabic and African Bazaar
- Salaam Namaste Indian Grocery
- Sto Nino Oriental Mini Mart