Cooking & culture on the agenda

THE City of Mount Gambier and the Mount Gambier Migrant Resource Centre are set to bring Harmony Week to life with the community launch of The Harmony Kitchen – a locally crafted recipe collection celebrating the flavours and stories of our multicultural community.

Join the festivities on Wednesday, March 18, at 11am at the Mount Gambier Library as this new publication is unveiled.

The Harmony Kitchen has been created to celebrate the many cultures that call Mount Gambier home.

Mount Gambier Migrant Resource Centre Manager Amanda Lindh said each dish has a meaning.

“Some recipes are prepared for celebrations, others for comfort,” she said. “Some have been passed down through generations, while others were learned in a new country during times of change. Together, they tell stories of resilience, family and hope,”.

The publication features recipes contributed by new arrivals connected through the Mount Gambier Migrant Resource Centre, alongside submissions from the broader community.

The book will be available for the community to borrow from the Mount Gambier Library.

“This book is more than a recipe collection,” Ms Lindh said. “It is an invitation; to cook, to share, to listen, and to connect. Whether you are preparing a meal from these pages or simply reading the stories, we hope it fosters understanding and brings people together around the table.”

From French kitchens, Filipino fiestas and Italian feasts to Polish staples, local Boandik inspired sweets and Yazidi celebrations of renewal, readers will discover the rich cultural heritage behind each recipe, with dedicated pages sharing the stories that accompany the dishes.

City of Mount Gambier Community Development Coordinator Kristi Brooks said Mount Gambier was enriched by the many cultures that now call it home.

“The dishes featured in this book reflect strength, generosity, and the willingness to share something deeply personal with the wider community,” she said.

The public are invited to the official launch and morning tea. To secure your place, contact the Mount Gambier Library on 8721 2540 or book online at www.mountgambier.sa.gov.au/Library under ‘Programs and Events’. Information about other Harmony Week activities can also be found on the Library website