Can food bring different cultures together? It seems possible when you look at these two Melbourne-based families of Indian and Iraqi origin.
Preet Kaur, a resident of the Melbourne suburb of Epping, likes cooking ‘authentic’ Indian curries.
Mrs Kaur always wanted to explore the power of food in connecting people, especially those from different cultural backgrounds. And she often wondered what makes food so special across the globe!
“I guess the most important aspect is the human connection which people make when they share food,” she tells SBS Punjabi.
“My culinary expertise is my legacy to my family. I cook the way my mother taught me and I will pass it on to my daughter who will do the same with some improvisation to the next generation.”
When it comes to food, Mrs Kaur passion isn’t limited to feeding her family – it goes beyond fences and boundaries, to be served at her neighbours’ homes.
Two Melbourne-based families of Indian and Iraqi origin love to share food items. Source: SBS
“We love to share food across our amazing neighbourhood. On the one side, we have a respected elderly woman Zareen, who is an Egyptian Australian, and on the other side we share the fence with Sama’s family, who is originally from Iraq,” she says.
“Melbourne is truly multicultural. There can’t be a better place when it comes to culturally diverse areas…and we have this unique opportunity to know more about each other’s culture, food, and life stories.”
Mrs Kaur’s neighbour Sama Alaa immigrated to Melbourne about 12 years ago.
Preet Kaur (L) with her daughter and son-in-law at SBS Studios, Melbourne (Photo Preetinder Grewal/SBS Punjabi). Source: Photo Preetinder Grewal/SBS Punjabi
Living in a small family with her husband and two children, she often misses big family gatherings that were common back home.
“We have it in our culture. The traditions tell us to share food and the incredible family recipes with our friends, family and neighbours….and luckily we’re not doing anything differently.”
Ms Alaa says she also likes to follow the golden principle of ‘sharing is caring’.
“Sharing food with a kind and loving heart makes this world so special. Often people will find it difficult to find time to cook. When I am free I cook for everyone and they do the same when we’re busy with life,” she adds.
Ms Alaa loves to exchange food items with her Indian neighbours.
“We often share biryani, chocolate, baklava and other sweets. In return, they give us many delicious dishes including the chicken curry which is my all-time favourite.”
“We also have a big veggie garden from we share veggie and fruits.”
LISTEN TO
The cross-cultural connection of sharing food across the fence
SBS Punjabi
12/06/201908:45
Mrs Kaur said she feels a strong connection and a duty of care towards her neighbours.
“It feels good in my heart when I share my food with others. It is part of my culture. I mean something that follows through my roots. We used to do the same back in India,” she adds.
“I don’t think there is a better way to understand different people and cultures other than sharing a table for lunch or dinner.”
