As part of the SOUL Food project, GEInnova contributed to create successful connections through cooking-based workshops hosted in Zaragoza. The project was presented on the 6 of March focusing on civic and democratic participation, equality and access to the opportunities society offers. Education plays a crucial role in emancipation: immigrant woman had the chance to share how high professional and leadership positions can be reached through education, overcoming family and social barriers. SOUL Food created a welcoming moment of exchange to promote alternative pathways to independence and career achievement.
The goals to increase inclusion and adult education were strongly pursued through three Mondays’ cooking classes. These events brought together local communities and migrant women, enhancing intercultural dialogue and eliminating cultural differences. The three hands-on classes allowed participants to explore Colombian, Venezuelan and Italian cuisine, giving them the chance to try and taste food and its recipes.
The first workshop was held by Anamaria with whom we prepared Sancocho, a tasty meat soup made with plantains, potatoes and corn. It was served with plain rice and soffritto, sautéed tomato and leek base. She also presented her project of a social kindergarten in Zaragoza and her intention of organising cooking experiences in Colombia as a mean of integration for women in society.
In the second workshop, we had the opportunity to meet Maryori, a Venezuelan immigrant woman who opened a restaurant in Zaragoza. In her cooking class, participants learned traditional arepas’ recipe, enjoying the fillings and toppings. Maryori explained how she had to reinvent her job career in a new country, and she chose her traditions and food as her new professional pathway.
The series of three workshops had been concluded with an Italian cooking class held by Ikigai and GEInnova’s interns.
All the different regions of origin came together to prepare Parmigiana di Melanzane, a baked timbale of layered fried eggplants, rich tomato sauce and mozzarella and parmigiano cheeses. As appetizers participants prepared tomato and pesto bruschette from scratch.
Through food, stories and shared experiences, Soul Food demonstrated how simple gestures can build bridges, strengthen communities and open new paths toward inclusion and personal growth.
