QSRT 2019 - Sharing Stories, Sharing Spices

Two Japanese ladies in kimonos preparing food

Sharing Stories, Sharing Spices celebrates the cultural diversity of our community through food.

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:

  1. Japanese: Cooking with Tomoko Ward, Lisa Koek and Japanese Community Women’s Group – Sushi/Wasabi
  2. Iranian: Cooking with Batoul Ansaritarghi – Ghormeh Sabzi with Fenugreek Leaves
  3. Afghani: Cooking with Roza Akel and Rahima Soltani – Quabili Pallow (Ghabali Polo) with Cumin
  4. Filipino: Cooking with Aida Basto and members of Philippines Language and Cultural Association Australia – Beef Mechado, Bay Leaf
  5. Indian: Cooking with Barjinder Kaur – Curry with Coriander and Cumin
  6. 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

 

Project updates

Norimaki (Seaweed Roll)

29 August 2019

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Making sushi

Culture: Japanese

Food: Sushi

Spice: Wasabi

Participant: Tomoko Ward, Lisa Koek and Japanese Community Women’s Group

Karhi (Curry)

29 August 2019

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India lady cooking

Culture: Indian

Food: Karhi (Curry)

Spice: Coriander and Cumin

Participant: Barjinder Kaur

Ghormeh Sabzi (Stew)

29 August 2019

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Iranian lady cooking

Culture: Iranian

Food: Ghormeh Sabzi

Spice: Fenugreek Leaves

Participant: Batoul Ansaritarghi

Fava Beans

29 August 2019

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Egyptian woman and man cooking

Culture: Egyptian

Food: Fava Beans

Spice: Cumin

Participant: Hanaa Louka Magar Guirgis

Quabili Pallow (Ghabali Polo)

29 August 2019

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Afghani lady serving food

Culture: Afghan

Food: Quabili Pallow (Ghabali Polo)

Spice: Cumin

Participant: Roza Akel and Rahima Soltani

Beef Mechado

29 August 2019

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Filippino group gathering for lunch

Culture: Filipino

Food: Beef Mechado

Spice: Bay Leaf

Participant: Aida Basto, Philippines Language & Cultural Association Australia members

Artists

29 August 2019

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Preparing spices

Sharing Stories, Sharing Spices was created by Western Sydney artists Marty Walker and Peter Long.

Sharing Stories, Sharing Spices Acknowledgements

29 August 2019

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Woman chopping carrots

The project was produced at St Marys Corner Community and Cultural Precinct by Penrith City Council from February to June 2019.