Bankstown Bites will return to Canterbury-Bankstown, inviting visitors to discover Greenacre's rich multicultural food scene through guided culinary experiences.
“Why go overseas when you can just go to Canterbury-Bankstown for diverse multicultural foods and experiences?”
That was the sentiment shared by the Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor over Purple Parrot dessert, an observation that set the tone for an evening of discovery in Greenacre. As we stood enjoying our different scoops – mine a vibrant mix of dragon fruit and passionfruit with an indulgent fudge topped with banana and strawberries – the conversation had shifted from the daunting prospect of an interview into genuine connection.
Reading up on the Canterbury-Bankstown area in Sydney, I was excited, as despite having been the marketing event assistant manager of a major Australian event at Canterbury-Bankstown Leagues Club as COVID-19 hit, I did not know much about the area. Upon more research, I learnt it is incredibly well known for its vibrant, diverse, and authentic food scene, offering a “culinary world tour” without needing a passport. Which, let’s be honest, is a decent thing for me, a 36-year-old woman who has never had the opportunity to travel overseas but would love the experience. Sometimes the most “overseas” experiences come from a small, unassuming shopfront that specialises in one or two traditional dishes.
How Rich Is Sydney’s Culture?
How rich is Sydney’s culture?!
And so, with this knowledge in mind, I headed out for what I initially described as a ‘dinner crawl’; an evening of taste bud-tantalising joy in none other than Sydney’s Greenacre. I was a little nervous, as the group was to be small and the Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor, Bil El Hayek, was to join my little evening charade.
The brief I got for an interview with the Mayor was slightly intimidating, so I chose to focus on the food. So much so that my mind ‘dismissed’ the fact that the Mayor was in attendance. I was unwittingly met with a pair of kind eyes, openness, and interesting stories.
A Feast to Remember
The evening was a true ‘culinary world tour’. We began with the sheer delight of La Doree, featuring the most mouth-watering giant croissant that I could’ve eaten myself (alas, we had to share it between the 10 of us), and what I could only describe as massive petit four lookalikes that made the experience feel like a trippy, heavenly, decadent Parisian escape.
Greeted with much pride at A La See L, we sat down to dine on a truly well-laid-out Lebanese meal of, as I call them, ‘dippetties’, or (things you dip your Lebanese bread and meats in), “the yummies” (the three cheese, falafel, and meat that were encased for us to enjoy), served alongside koftas, tabouli, and the amazing pickled side dishes that complemented the meal smoochingly well. Despite not being hungry, I had to polish it off. Not to mention the lime and mint refreshing drink that accompanied the meal.
The Mayor taught me the true joy of dining. “These taste better if you eat them with your hands.” And when I put the knife and fork down, he smiled satisfactorily and said, “See?”
Between bites of falafel and kofta, the Mayor shared stories of his father, who used to always finish a meal with an olive as a treat – a simple tradition that spoke volumes about the area’s rich culture.
More Than Just a Meal
It was like a ’lil family gathering, a lesson, a re-learning of lost roots. Well, it was for me. Because, when you come down to it, aren’t we all one?
I thus reiterate, “Why go overseas when you can just go to Canterbury-Bankstown for diverse multicultural foods and experiences?”
One small factual note (rather than a grammar correction): "petit fours" is already plural, so if you meant a single item it would be "petit four". Since you were describing multiple pastries, "petit four lookalikes" is correct.
Reviewed By: Odette McCarthy