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Food Festival provides a taste of successInternational food was the ingredient for building friendships in Churchill last week when Latrobe City residents were treated to a roving exhibition of food, art and storytelling designed to develop cross-cultural understanding between communities. By Latrobe City Council - 2nd December 2005 - Back to News International food was the ingredient for building friendships in Churchill last week when Latrobe City residents were treated to a roving exhibition of food, art and storytelling designed to develop cross-cultural understanding between communities.
Latrobe City’s Arts Innovation Facilitator, Lynette Raven said that migrant and refugee groups, in particular, shared their culture and history through the telling of stories and the sharing of recipes and food.
"The festival was developed as the result of many years of listening to women from diverse backgrounds communicating through the passion of food and cooking," Ms Raven explained.
"The Cultural Travelling Food Festival members from the Collingwood Neighbourhood Renewal Area included families from both the Richmond and Collingwood public housing estates. A performance was given by the Collingwood Hip Hop dancers and cooking stories were presented," Ms Raven said.
Ms Raven said that the event was attended by a wide range of community members including KODE school children and parents, senior citizens, preschoolers, Latrobe City Neighbourhood Renewal residents and members of the Gippsland International Women’s Group.
"Many participants had contributed their favourite recipe and cooking story to the festival for a recipe book. A selection of these delicious cultural dishes were served at the event, including Turkish vine leaves, East Timorese layered slice, Gozleme Turkish bread, African samosas, Turkish baclava.
"Visitors to the festival also shared in the delights of the freshly prepared food and demonstrations in the making of Vietnamese, Turkish and East Timorese food were held in an informal atmosphere that allowed for discussion between the cooking group members and locals.
"The primary aim of the festival, to make friends over food, was achieved very successfully. In particular the Collingwood and KODE school children interacted wonderfully and appeared to become great friends," Ms Raven said.
The Cultural Catering Group has been celebrating their cultural diversity across Victoria with visits to Queenscliff, Melbourne City and Warrnambool. The Churchill component of the festival was a great success with the highest number of attendees of all events.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com

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