BaptistCare Harmony Day Cookbook

A little while ago, the BaptistCare Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Workgroup released a BaptistCare Harmony Day Cookbook. How did it come about? What is the most exciting recipe in it? We asked DEIB Workgroup members Lana Davis and Inneke Bakker more about the cookbook and its origins. Keep reading to find out more.

How did the idea of the harmony cookbook come about? What was the inspiration for it?

Inneke and Lana: We’ve had a Harmony Day cookbook before, so it isn’t a completely new idea. Harmony week is about celebrating our cultural diversity and a culturally diverse cookbook seemed like a great complement to this celebration. We decided that because BaptistCare has such a diverse workforce, volunteer force and indeed a diverse client/resident base that a cookbook is a great opportunity to celebrate this diversity.

Conversations and learning about other cultures occur so naturally through food and what better way to celebrate our diverse community at BaptistCare. These recipes are very personal to those who contributed, with many stories and memories represented.

How many people contributed to it?

Lana: About 40 people contributed to the cookbook.

What is your favourite recipe in the cookbook?

Inneke: I would have to pick one of my family favourites I shared, which is a recipe from my Dutch heritage called Boterkoek. Directly translated, as ‘Butter Cake,’ it’s actually more like a slice. It only has five ingredients (more than likely in your fridge or pantry already), simple to make and a fail-proof crowd pleaser. I love recipes that are easy to make and yet seem indulgent.

Lana: I can’t wait to try them all. They are all my favourites! I really like the Million Dollar Dip recipe, the soups look great and I love the little stories that come with the recipes in the cookbook. I also really love that we were able to get some recipes from celebrity chefs, like George Georgievski and Angela Crisante who is actually our colleague Adrian’s aunty. She contributed the feta cigar recipe which is Adrian’s favourite.

What are you most excited to cook from the collection of recipes?

Inneke: There are so many to choose from, so it’s hard to pick just one, but the two I am keen to try are the Feta Cigars (Greek/Italian) and Bobotie (South African).

Lana: I’d like to try many of them but especially the Slap It Up Chicken Lasagna – quick and easy which is great!

What are your hopes for the cookbook?

Inneke: Wouldn’t it be great if our cookbook had so many recipes year on year, it could rival the best of any published cookbook? This is something we hope everyone in our organisation will want to be part of in the future. I’m keen to see if we have enough recipes to represent all parts of the world. Challenge set!

Lana: My hope is that the Harmony Day Cookbook becomes more than just a collection of recipes. I want it to be a celebration of the cultures, stories and people that make up our BaptistCare community. Food is such a powerful way to connect. Through these shared meals, I hope volunteers, staff, clients and residents see their heritage reflected and valued, that it sparks conversations, curiosity and a deeper sense of belonging.

Any other final thoughts?

Inneke: A huge thank you to all the BaptistCare staff, residents, family and friends who contributed recipes to the cookbook, to Lana who works tirelessly supporting the DEIB efforts with a smile and warm nature, and the Communications team for their brilliant work in pulling together an amazingly presented cookbook!

Let’s get cooking!

Lana: This cookbook is a beautiful reminder that diversity isn’t just something we acknowledge on special days, it’s something we live every day at BaptistCare. It’s in our conversations, our relationships and yes, our kitchens. I’m proud to be part of an organisation that not only recognises the richness of our community but actively creates ways to celebrate and share it. I hope this cookbook inspires people to try something new, start a conversation and continue building bridges across cultures, one meal at a time.

The BaptistCare Harmony Day Cookbook will soon be available to all BaptistCare staff… stay tuned.