A cooking club operating within the Multicultural Council of Tasmania (MCOT) celebrates dietary wellness and the art of crafting balanced, flavourful meals that resonate with diverse cultural palates.

Each session provides a platform for participants from various multicultural backgrounds to showcase traditional recipes and culinary wisdom. As one person demonstrates, others actively assist, fostering a collaborative spirit and the shared meal afterwards becomes a moment of communal enjoyment and cultural exchange.

“Being able to share our traditional food and share stories through the cooking club is a really special experience in our daily routine,” said a participant.

“It’s also so rewarding to learn a new recipe each time we meet,” she said.

The sessions are not only about cooking but also about connecting. They foster teamwork communication and shared sense of accomplishment as everyone has contributed to the final dishes.

“Our cooking sessions are valuable because we share cultural knowledge and develop social skills by participating in a very friendly meeting,” said another.

“The most important result is that we  learn new skills from each other.”

MCOT is the peak body in Tasmania representing Tasmanians from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background including refugees, international students and migrants from other lands.

Their role is to advocate, lobby and promote issues on behalf of members and community cultural organisations.

The MCOT ‘Community Kitchen’ in Moonah is a space where community members can showcase their cooking skills, grow their commercial ventures and connect with community, using the available equipment and facilities.

“Cooking clubs are indeed a great way to learn new ways of cooking and recipes,” said a spokesperson.

MCOT recognises the opportunities for the participants to build friendships and supported the establishment of a cooking club which commenced in 2023/2024. The program has organised about 14 sessions to date.

The aim of the program is to improve the general health and wellbeing of migrant and local women through sharing of new cooking skills, learning new recipes and connecting over delicious food.

Beyond the kitchen, the program organises enriching excursions to community gardens.

These outings offer a way for multicultural families to explore and connect with their local environment and also help families gain firsthand information about gardening and the significance of growing their own food.

Participants reported feeling relaxed and refreshed after visiting the gardens, highlighting the importance of nature therapy for mental and emotional well-being.

“They’re not just pleasure trips; they’re opportunities for families to gain firsthand knowledge about gardening practices relevant to their backgrounds and understand the profound significance of cultivating their own food, often a deeply rooted practice in many cultures,” added the spokesperson.

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