MAMA’S cooking
When home feels away, eat good food, make friends.
The unifying sense of longing and house values
When home feels away.
MAMA’S Cooking is the manifestation of what I needed when I first came to Melbourne. There’s a different atmosphere here. People have their established groups, and being an outsider feels isolating. It’s a common sentiment amongst my peers that Melbourne feels superficial, something about one’s perceived image keeps people distant.
In my first few apartments I lived with strangers sharing rooms in the cbd. It was unfamiliar, to be so exposed, with such little space to make my own. It never felt like there was a home for me here. And while I’ve never considered myself a home-body I often miss the familiarity of Bali, my dogs, my parents. I found walking around in the city mindlessly more comfortable than staying in.
MAMA’S cooking is the 3rd space people need in this era. with everyone juggling 3 jobs, 2 assignments, 3 friends at once. Not to mention the amount of artificial slop thrown at us, artificial food, artificial reality, relationships, connections, artificial intelligence… We at MAMA’s believe authenticity is the future. We have a 0 tolerance AI policy so that you, the people, know that you’re interacting with real humans and artists. MAMA’s cooking aims to nestle itself into the busy groove of the average Melbournian. we aim to provide a safe space for people to be themselves and mingle.
The importance of home-cooked meals
Eat good food
My relationship towards food during Childhood never really revolved around home-cooked meals. My parents were at a point in their lives where work came first and wellbeing came second. Their hustle culture strong work ethic, while admirable, had the consequence that no one ever taught me how to cook.
Most of my meals growing up relied on Indo mie and a good and trusty fried egg or straight up takeout. this was my norm and quite frankly I was happy with it. to this day I can recite all the good spots to eat all around Bali.
After finally moving to Melbourne I often found comfort in meals my friends made while learning how to cook for myself on the side. Have you ever met someone who could burn boil pasta? well you have now. Hi hello I’m Sham
When I eventually met my partner, who came from a background rich in culture, Ffood became one of the many things we felt connected through. We’d hangout almost everyday, eating and sharing at spots around the city. Eventually I ended up at their place where their mum made delicious home cooked meals on an almost daily basis. This simple aspect of their life shocked me as it made me realise that I never had that growing up. I never knew why people enjoyed it, actively choosing to eat at home. And I found myself craving their mum’s cooking despite not being raised by it. I loved coming home to a simple 30 minute dish that wasn’t a trendy cafe. so now ’ve decided to be a part of something I love and didn’t realise I needed
Celebrate the people you come across
Make friends
When first arrived I noticed there was an art to making friends and a sense of vulnerability that came with it. Overtime, it became clear if i didn’t have familiar faces from Bali, I would be lonely.
I chose event management by channeling a lot of the things that make me happy into a degree. I love people, I love caring for people, and I was always told I had great leadership skills. During my studies I’ve learnt the power of events. It’s been a little crack in the door to meet new people in niche interests, get into awkward ice breakers and have fun. And since raves never spoke out to me, I’ve found myself descending into the rabbit hole of community events. I craved a deeper connection.
Upcoming events.
