By CASEY NEILL
“MELBOURNE has an absolute jewel in Dandenong.”
This was just the start of Food Safari host Maeve O’Meara’s praise for the melting pot.
“I just love the diversity and every time I come out there’s something beautiful, different, exotic,” she said.
“People often talk about what makes Australia great – come to Dandenong and it’s all here.”
Ms O’Meara was in MKS Spices’n Things in Dandenong South when the Journal spoke to her ahead of a foodie tour in Dandenong on Friday 22 May.
“I’m surrounded by beautiful aromas of curry leaves and all sorts of spices from the subcontinent,” she said.
Greater Dandenong is home to more than 1000 restaurateurs and food retailers representing cuisines from all over the world. Restaurants alone serve more than 50,000 meals each week.
“The future I see is Dandenong being even more of a food destination,” Ms O’Meara said.
“Australians, we love to learn new things, try a few new things.
“The fact that it is all here in one small beautiful place, it just makes life really easy.”
The tour popped into Maiwand Bakery on Scott Street which bakes more than 5000 traditional Afghan flat breads every week in a traditional tandoor oven.
Participants picked up Middle Eastern goods at A1 Lebanese Bakery on Lonsdale Street, Polish smoked meats at Uncle’s Smallgoods and Afghan dishes at Pamir Restaurant.
They finished the day with a Uyghur lunch at Tengri Tag.
“People are true to their cultural backgrounds. You’re not getting a dumbed down version, you’re getting the real deal,” Ms O’Meara said.
“Dandenong is one of those special places.
“It’s one of those great places that I think is just going to get more interesting and more exciting.
“It does show the patterns of immigration in Australia as well.
“To see new places come in and be part of the cultural mix here I think is fantastic.
“It’s as exciting as travelling overseas except you’ve got all these experiences within one place.”
The council hosts guided tours exploring Little India, the Afghan Bazaar, Sensational Springvale and more.
Visit www.greaterdandenong.com/tours for details and bookings.
