Cookbook aims to share food memories of immigrants and First Nation communities

Montreal (CityNews) – We all have that favourite recipe and more than likely a story that goes with it.

One Montrealer – Monique Polak – has received the opportunity to work with the Blue Metropolis Foundation, who started The Secret is in the Sauce! A cookbook to share memories of food from Quebec’s first-generation immigrants and First Nations communities.

“When you start talking to people about a recipe, it’s always connected to stories, many to do with family,” said Polak.

“In a city like Montreal, everybody we know loves food and it’s such a multicultural environment.”

“It opens the windows to another culture. A cookbook is an ideal opener to another culture,” said Helga Rudolf, a retired college professor who taught German and helped contribute to the book.

“Helga’s a fantastic baker and anybody who can, you gotta get your hands on the cookbook for her recipe for plum cake which is just the right season too because the Quebec plums are just coming out now,” explained Polak.

Polak says the key to cracking into a great conversation, often revolves around food.

“I find everyone’s open to food. You hear about ‘oh, this restaurant, I’ve got this recipe – try this.’ People love it and it’s really a great way to build connections between people.

“I think it’s about growth. We need to grow. Let’s say you only eat the same stuff. I don’t want to say bad stuff about my mother. She was a wonderful mother but a terrible cook. And if I was still eating Alphaghetti from a can which was lunch usually, or TV dinners then you don’t expand – and hopefully not just in size because you could eat healthy too. It’s such a wonderful way to learn about each other,” added Polak.

“Diversity is diverse cultures but everybody’s different. No matter religion, race, gender, we’re different anyhow, even beyond those things. A great way to see it is what are you having for lunch, are you trying something new?”