People have cast aside differences and connected over the breaking of bread for time immemorial, and so it has been at the Inveresk Tavern this year.
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A different community group has descended on the tavern’s kitchen each Sunday to cook up a storm and share their traditional cuisine with the community.
The Community Kitchen program has been running since July as an initiative between the Migrant Resource Centre and the tavern.
This Sunday is the last Community Kitchen for 2016, featuring traditional Sudanese fare.
Migrant Resource Centre chief executive Ella Dixon said it has been a great success, with food even selling out some weeks.
She said the program will resume in 2017, with two more community groups already expressing interest in becoming involved.
“Hopefully over time our expectation is that the groups will be able to communicate directly with the tavern and do the rosters themselves,” she said.
“Our longterm goal is to build their capacity enough so that they’re independent of an external support organisation like us.”
Inveresk Tavern owner Charlie Rayner said the program has has strong support from the community.
“I think the level of continued support for the program, indicates that people are developing acceptance and are willing to learn about different cultures and have exposure to them,” he said.
Sudanese refugee Juma Piri-Piri said the program has helped get some refugees out into the community.
“Some of the women have never been in the public because of language barrier and some other things, so that’s a great opportunity for them to come and do something with the community so they feel that they've got a valuable contribution to make,” he said.
“I think it’s the most significant community project that we’ve ever had and I would say it’s been long overdue.”
Ms Dixon said many say the best thing about the Community Kitchen is hearing the women’s laughter coming from the kitchen.