Whittlesea locals will experience the rich, vibrant flavours of Turkish cuisine, as cook Zulal Rogers brings her heritage to the table with a free Turkish community cooking class on June 21.
Hosted at Whittlesea Library, the session runs from 10am to 12.30pm and offers more than just a lesson in food– it’s a celebration of culture, family and flavour.
“My love of the cuisine and my food journey I guess,” Zulal said when asked about what inspired her to run her classes.
“I’ve always loved my Turkish heritage and I’ve been involved with a lot of living and learning centres for years.”
With decades of experience and strong roots in the area, Zulal has combined her passion for fresh, simple food with a desire to give back.
“I just wanted to share lovely flavours. I just have so much love and respect for good quality fresh ingredients that aren’t complicated.”
She describes Turkish food as a delicious paradox: simple yet packed with flavour.
“It can be vegan and gluten free without necessarily meaning to be, which is really lovely.”
Food, for Zulal, is an extension of family and of identity.
“I’m really big on family and family dinners so it was just sort of an extension of what I do at home.”
Zulal sees food as a way to preserve culture in multicultural Australia.
“It’s very important, and I’m a purist, I don’t like complicated things,” Zulal explained.
A trip to Turkey last year, her first in 61 years, reaffirmed that.
Zulal fondly remembers past cooking sessions.
“Just how positive everyone is who comes to these classes,” Zulal said.
“Especially at the end of the class, we all sit down together and have a lovely meal.”
Those not keen to cook can still get a taste– “They can come to my restaurant and taste it!”
