The power of the potluck
At this potluck dinner, friendships blossom over dishes like puaka tunu – the Tongan twist on roast pork – and tahdig, a crispy Persian rice cooked with a generous serving of butter, cumin and saffron.
This is the heart of Stories from the Kitchen, a Logan City Council initiative that invites residents to eat, drink and make new connections.
The program will soon be handed back to the community for local volunteers to lead at Beenleigh Neighbourhood Centre.
Volunteer facilitator Yanni Brown says the experience has been incredibly rewarding.
‘I help facilitate conversations at the table, introduce people to one another and help with set-up,’ she says.
‘Being a volunteer has been so easy – I don’t even need to facilitate anymore. I just get to chat and eat because food is a great conversation starter.
‘The stories behind food give people an opportunity to connect with someone they might not usually speak to.’
She hopes the future program will also expand to share culture through another medium like music.
Yanni, who has been in attendance since the first dinner, has witnessed group members forming new friendships while trying different types of cuisine.
Each guest comes with an open mind, a cultural dish, and a story – the secret sauce to a successful potluck.
One of her favourite dishes is tumpeng, a beautifully presented Indonesian dish – comprised of molded yellow rice, meat, noodles and adorned with banana leaves and flowers – that is often eaten during celebratory occasions.
‘I’ve learned some really cool things about different cultures and different ways of eating and preparing things by being a part of this program,’ she says.
For fellow volunteer Emily Garrett, the dinners have allowed her to connect with her Australian heritage and learn new life skills.
‘You get to learn intercultural and communication skills because you meet people from all backgrounds and walks of life,’ she says.
‘I feel more confident with speaking now.’
Join the private Stories from the Kitchen Facebook group or reach out to Council on 07 3412 3412 if you’re interested in participating.
