Joanne McQuarrie, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | [email protected]
Newcomers are being welcomed to the community through their kitchens, thanks to the Municipality of Jasper (MOJ) and Jasper Settlement Services, who partnered to create a virtual cooking class.
Cultural Kitchens came about due to public health regulations putting a stop to the MOJ鈥檚 annual community dinner season and will allow the community to share a meal while people are apart.
Lisa Pelletier, community development co-ordinator with MOJ, said in an email the Cultural Kitchen has amazing potential.
鈥�(It鈥檚) a great way to spotlight newcomers to Jasper to share and cook over a Facebook livestream, some of their favourite cultural dishes,鈥� she said.
鈥淥n the last Sunday of the month starting Feb. 28, for the next five months, we are inviting newcomers to Jasper to share and cook, over a Facebook live stream, some of their favourite cultural dishes.鈥�
On the brainstorming team with Pelletier are Sandra Campbell, settlement worker with Jasper Settlement Services; and Chris Woo, community development co-ordinator with MOJ.
the MOJ will promote the month鈥檚 featured chef, their dish and their culture. The list of chefs is being worked on. During the interactive session, participants join the live event through Facebook and prepare and cook alongside the chef.
鈥淛asperites who would like to take part will be provided with the menu, a shipping list, as well as a playlist of music from the featured country to enjoy during dinner,鈥� said the trio in an email.
That information will be shared on the and by email prior to the event so participants can buy groceries ahead of time.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e not a savvy Facebook user, but you would love to take part, reach out to Chris at [email protected] to receive all the information by email each month, the group invited... in addition to spotlighting newcomers,鈥� Pelletier said.
鈥淲e hope to foster community connection by encouraging families to cook together, and participants interacting together, over the social media platform.鈥�
The brainstorming team added, 鈥淭here aren鈥檛 many things that bring us together more than food. Breaking bread with friends and neighbours is one of the most ancient forms of community building.鈥�
