ON THE TABLE
Food A lesson on Syrian cooking with messages of love and gratitude in every spoonful BY CRYSTAL MURRAY PHOTOS BY STEVE SMITH, VISIONFIRE STUDIOS
G
hada, Rania and Lema settle in around the kitchen island in Cathy Hanley’s waterfront home outside of Pictou to reveal the beauty that accompanies the legacy of Syrian cooking. The sun is brilliant and it bathes the kitchen with a welcoming light. Lema is still cold and keeps her heavy fur trimmed jacket on as they busy themselves with little details before they present the food they have prepped for a sampling of Syrian cuisine. Their hands work deftly around the plates of Kibbe, Tabbouleh, Shawarma and Syrian sweets as they garnish and arrange to their liking. There is no hesitation in what they are doing. Geography and war have not altered the way they do things. Their movements are no doubt the same as the women before them, who were taught by the women before them. There is a joy in their preparations that is as fragrant and colourful as the food they will share. It is a demonstration of generosity and thankfulness that is at the essence of much of their culture. It’s a teaching moment for
The North Shore
to
shawarma your heart
all of us in the room that morning as we learn a little more about these new people in our community. It is just over a year since three families displaced from their homes in Syria found their way to a new life in Pictou County. Rania Almethyb and Ghada Almetheb spell their last names a little differently but are related through marriage and lived in the Daraa province in Southwest Syria. Their families were sponsored by the Safe Harbour group and live in New Glasgow. Lema Casim and her family left their home in the Syrian capital of Damascus. The CAIRN group has nurtured their resettlement in the town of Pictou. It has been a year of gentle assimilation but with an expediency that accompanies an awareness of knowing that the sponsorship will not last forever. The trio of women are hoping that their skills in the kitchen will create an opportunity for employment and a way to give back to the communities that have given so much to them. The feelings of loyalty to their sponsorship groups and their new neighbourhoods runs deep. A friendly competition exists between the women and they share a laugh and quick debate on who landed in the best town.
They know that other refugee families like the Hadhad’s in Antigonish have had a quick taste of success. Lema already has a small business and has completed her food safety handling course. She prepares her food at the Stone Soup Cafe and with the help of volunteer Giselle Mitchell, she brings her Syrian Delights to the New Glasgow Market. Ghada and Rania have aspirations that their small catering business will evolve into something bigger. They are also being certified in the standards of food handling and safety working on a business plan. With the help of the interpreter, Ilhem Dedkhani, who is on hand to help translate for the cooking demonstration, Rania tells us that her dream is to one day own a family business and be busy cooking ever day.
May your table always be plentiful – Sifrah Daimeh The Syrian women cook with purpose. It is part of their daily life and they effuse domestic hospitality. Food is one of the most artful expressions of their culture
ah! Spring 2017 - 32
