Think about your favourites – is it the apple strudel from Germany, the beautiful kebab you ate in Lebanon or the amazing pizza from Italy?
Chances are, your favourite food is connected to someone, somewhere – because good food is the one thing that never fails to bring people together.
A willingness to step out of your cultural zone and try new food is the hallmark of a harmonious society, according to Berala Kebabs Jason Aslan.
“We have been in Auburn for five years now and we love that our customers come from every corner of the earth,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter if they haven’t grown up with Middle Eastern cuisine or not; once they try our kebabs, the fall in love and bring their friends.”
Dooleys’ 8 Dragons Chinese Restaurant manager Raymond Lin offers a mouthwatering menu full of Chinese classics but says his customers come from all cultures.
“Food brings people together in a way that nothing else does,” he said.
No one knows this better than Khaybar Afghani Restaurant manager Mujtaba Ashrafi who says over 90 per cent of his customers are not Afghani.
“I think restaurants make a mistake when they try to mix up cuisines,” he said.
“Most people are happy to try different cuisines and find another love; if they are in an Afghani restaurant they don’t need the choice of Greek food too, for example.”
Student Biryani manager Navid has been offering Pakistani cuisine which was first made popular around the world 40 years ago.
“We have many cultures happily standing side by side to place their orders; it’s just that their spice requirements may differ,” he said.
“Food connects every human from the stomach, and it conquers all, from language barriers to cultural differences.”
Deccan Flavours Indian Restaurant’s Mohammed says a food-centred society is a harmonious one.
“The sharing of food brings any community together and makes it stronger,” he said.
Manager Mehdi of Dougie’s Grill, similar to a halal Oportos, has lost count of the number of cultures enjoying their fare.
“We have Somalis, Iraquis, Arabs, Chinese, Europeans, Islanders and Aussies all coming together to enjoy our offerings; it’s wonderful to see,” he said.
