by Sean Hillen
ROASTED red pepper and lentil soup, creamy garlic steak pasta with mushroom raspberry and white chocolate cheesecake…such culinary delights have helped unite people from diverse countries in the Falcarragh and Gortahork areas.
Under a special international project linking a local community centre and school, people with first names as exotic as Volodymrn, Hiba, Anzhela and Kateryna blended with the Megs and Maries living locally in a special six-week multinational culinary course that has culminated in a colourfully illustrated book entitled ‘PCC Parent Cook and Learn Cookbook – Recipes and Memories,’ complete with recipes and photographs. And even amusing cartoons based on images of the participants.
The inside pages of the book explains that the international culinary course is a collaborative project between Pobail Le Chéile and Pobailscoil Chloich Cheannfhaola and funded by the Adult Literacy for Life Collaboration and Innovation Fund. The initiative promotes social inclusion and teamwork and communication and highlights supports available to adults with Donegal ETB.
“The course was very interesting and useful,” said Volodymrn Parkhomenko, a well-trained mechanic from Ukraine who now lives in Gortahork.
“We not only learned how to cook delicious dishes, but also met wonderful and cheerful people. Besides the friendly and always welcoming Irish women, a lady from Sudan also cooked with us. She delighted us with her national dish.”
Added his partner Kateryna: “We baked vegetables with chicken, made pasta with beef and mushrooms, and learned how to prepare amazing bruschetta and pizza. And of course, the dessert, raspberry and mint cheesecakes, was a delight for the stomach.”
Project organisers were pleased with the project’s outcome.
“It encouraged participants to work together in preparing meals and by integrating cooking and literacy, the project provided a hands-on and engaging approach to learning, promoting self-sufficiency, confidence and the joy of creating something meaningful while overcoming challenges.”
