Fatema Ayubi using food to break down cultural barriers
FATEMA Ayubi, a restaurateur who sought asylum in Australia with her family after fleeing Afghanistan, is using food to break down cultural barriers.
“FOOD breaks down all barriers between people,” says Fatema Ayubi, a restaurateur who was a little girl when she sought asylum with her parents and two sisters after fleeing Afghanistan in 1985. “When people come into our restaurants they say, ‘We feel like we’ve walked into your home!’”
This is no accident. When her parents first opened their restaurant, Parwana, in Adelaide in 2009, “We decorated in a traditional Afghan way and put lots of family photos on the walls,” CommBank’s Australian of the Day, which is an initiative that celebrates ordinary Australians who make a real contribution to their communities and country.
“It’s a great conversation starter; customers get curious and ask about this photo or that photo. It gives us a chance to share our history and our culture and give that back to Australia as our gift.”
Some would argue the Ayubi’s famous traditional Afghan cuisine alone is gift enough. Parwana proved such a hit dining experience that the family now has four shops, including an outlet at Flinders University.
Fatema is in charge of a separate sweets shop. “I take a multicultural approach,” she says. “I do Afghan sweets but also French patisseries that are Afghan inspired.”
With Australia’s view of Afghan culture often obscured by blood and dust, Fatema cherishes the opportunity to share the very best of her native country: “It’s important to my whole family to share the beauty of Afghan culture. Particularly since food always revolves around celebrations and happy times.”
CommBank has partnered with News Corp Australia to champion the Australian of the Day initiative which celebrates people in our neighbourhoods and communities who really make a difference to how we live and who we are. People like Fatema, who enrich the lives of others. You can read all their stories at australianoftheday.com.au, where you can also nominate someone you know.
Originally published as Fatema Ayubi using food to break down cultural barriers
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