GROWING up in big Italian families in Epping, Teresa Oates (pictured) and Angela Villella embraced the rich food traditions their families brought to Australia.
But as they grew older, they feared their family secrets were slipping away and so they became the unofficial guardians of recipes handed down through the generations.
Their families’ recipes were unwritten until the women penned the cookbook, Mangia! Mangia! (meaning “Eat! Eat!”), last year with publisher Penguin.
They are a part of Whittlesea’s Food Festival next month.
“These honest food traditions could slip away as the older generations pass on,” Mrs Oates said. The Whittlesea Food Festival starts with the cookbook authors demonstrating their skills at the Lalor Library on September 6 from 6.30pm to 8pm. Two other cooking events will be held at the Mill Park Library, Wednesday, September 12 and Thomastown Library, Monday, September 17, both from 6.30pm to 8pm.
