After meeting in Wagga, two women developed a fast friendship and now are excited to share food from their culture with Wagga.
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It's almost that time of year where residents and visitors can eat dishes from around the world to their heart's content.
In the spirit of the upcoming Fusion Festival, The Daily Advertiser is profiling some of the delicious cuisines that can be found in this city, and the people who can cook them with their eyes closed.
Kehinde Ayedera moved to Wagga more than six years ago with her family.
"I am from Nigeria," she said. "I moved here with my husband, and he came as a skilled immigrant.
"Wagga is great, and I love it here."
Mrs Ayedera said she loves cooking Nigerian food, whether for family or herself.
"I cannot do without my food, I am used to it, and it is part of me," she said.
"I feel at home when I cook, and I feel like I am back in my country. I have four boys, and I will teach them how to cook. It is part of your culture."
Mrs Ayedera said jollof rice - made with capsicum, spices and stock - is an everyday staple among households.
Originally from Zimbabwe, Sophia Duywili moved to Wagga in early 2009 after living in Sydney for four years.
"I love it here, away from the big city," she said.
"I met Kehinde through the church, and now we have become family."
Ms Duywili said cooking makes her feel peaceful and at home. When she came to Australia, she brought large packets of maize meal and declared it.
"Customs thought it was cocaine," she joked.
Ms Duywili said sadzda, made from maize meal, is a staple in dishes much like rice and mashed potatoes are in other countries.
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The dish is also known as isitshwala, ugali and fufu - depending on where you are in Africa. It is eaten with stew or vegetables.
Ms Duywili said in her culture, if a woman cannot cook sadzda, then she is not ready for marriage.
Belinda Crain, CEO of the Multicultural Council, said community members love being able to share food from their culture, and it is the perfect way to share a piece of themselves with those in Wagga.
Fusion19 is on Saturday, October 19 at the Victory Memorial Gardens from 4pm.