Togetherness: Agoness Kuol from South Sudan says in her culture, everyone sits down to share and eat from one plate. Picture: Supplied
South Sudanese Agoness Kuol learned how to cook with her mother, making traditional recipes that have been passed down through generations in her family.
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Her cooking style has continued to evolve since she arrived in Shepparton in 2001. She uses foods and recipes from all over the world, a mix of different cultures and traditions.
She said the most important thing to her was that food was created with love and shared with others.
“My table is special to me because when I make food this is the time I get to sit down with my family,” Agoness said.
“Everything stops and we talk and catch up. Here in Australia we each eat from our own different plates, but in my culture we have one pot or plate and we come together, sit down and eat from one plate.
“When we finish we continue talking over a cup of tea. Today we are so busy, there is no time, so meal-time is very special to me.”
Heart of the home: Agoness in her pantry, ready to cook for her family.
Today, Agoness said she was busy raising her six children in a community she loved and was proud of.
She said the Shepparton Culture Kitchen project was special to her.
“It allows time to be with other women from different cultures to share and eat together and learn from each other,” she said.
Kitchen culture: Agoness prepares her vegetable stew, which will provide another chance to sit down with her family and chat.
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