By Jena Carr
Students of a Geelong refugee cooking and barista program have concluded their studies with a community kitchen dinner.
Settle Well Program’s CALD kitchen held a grand dinner on June 20 at the Norlane Community Centre to highlight its talented students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Program coordinator Nestor Estampa said the night was an excellent opportunity for students to showcase what they learned during the nine-week cooking and barista course.
“It helped teach students to practice conversation and English in the kitchen, along with preparing them to be future baristas and chefs,” he said.
“The program is our contribution to social connection in the community…and the students get to share their experiences in the kitchen and food safety experiences.
“Some of the kids and families have just arrived in Australia, so it was great to see them be involved in a program, get to know the community, and see that there are services available to them.
“It (the program) went well because the children were thriving, and everyone was talking to each other. In week one, there was silence because students were hesitant to talk with each other.”
CALD Community Kitchen is part of CatholicCare Victoria’s Settle Well Program, which supports refugee youth and mothers in the Geelong region in settling well and thriving in the community.
