The Cypriot Community of Western Australia (CCWA) are collecting traditional recipes for a Cypriot Cookbook.

It’s all about the food – when there’s food involved, people will turn up. It’s an important part of the Greek culture.

CCWA vice-president Zak Chrisostomou said the idea for the project came from within the new CCWA committee.

“The idea was to encourage the community to contribute to something, to make something to remember,” he said.

And when you’re trying to get people to get together, Mr Chrisostomou knows the way to the community’s heart is through its stomach.

“It’s all about the food – when there’s food involved, people will turn up,” he said.

“It’s an important part of the Greek culture.”

So far, the CCWA has received around 20 recipes, and they’re looking to select between 30 and 35 for publication.

Some of the recipes already submitted are octopus soaked in wine, artichokes in egg and lemon sauce and Cypriot coconut cake.

Mr Chrisostomou said his personal favourite dish is lamb tavas, but all Cypriot recipes are welcome.

He said the new CCWA committee was passionate about bringing together the old and the young.

“Since we took over about a year ago, we’ve been trying to bring in the younger generation,” he said.

“But we’re also finding things to archive – old photos and things – and we’re hoping this cookbook will be something people can hold on to.”

And what better way to bridge the generation gap than with food?

Mr Chrisostomou is hoping each recipe will be accompanied by a write-up of the history of the dish and photos of its town of origin.

The CCWA has already begun working with graphic designers and marketers for the book, which will be available to purchase online.

Mr Chrisostomou is hoping to launch the cookbook on October 9, in time for their dinner dance celebrating the 50th anniversary of Cypriot independence.

Although the upcoming event is fully catered, Mr Chrisostomou said there will be traditional meze served on arrival.

He said he wouldn’t be surprised to see some of the dishes made with recipes from the cookbook.


For more information or to submit a recipe, go to http://cypriotcommunitywa.com