100-year-old recipes: Why is chatting so important to this group of Mount Waverley locals?

Shortly after the Covid lockdowns, Mount Waverley local Billy Blanch started a chatty cafe. The initiative, set up within the Mackie Road Neighbourhood House, was spawned from the realisation that, for some people, it’s possible to go all day without having anybody to speak to.

Four years on, Blanch has cultivated a thriving friendship group that meets up every Tuesday to chat over pastries and cakes donated by the nearby Wanda Street bakery.

In the Chatty Cafe’s latest session, Billy trialled a group “recipe swap”. He was inspired by his mother-in-law's 100 year old recipe book, which he brought in to show-and-tell.

“My wife uses the recipes from this old book. And often we sit down and think about what life was like 100 years ago,” he told the Eastern Melburnian.

“I think it's important because if you look at the recipes, you can put your mind back into the past.”

Apple pie, rabbit stew and salmon noodles were among the other recipes brought in, as well as office administrator Liz’s roast lamb.

Mount Waverley is a multicultural melting pot with predominant communities of Australian-born, Chinese, English, Greek, and Indian residents.

The group has representatives from a range of languages and cultures, as well as attracting many elderly attendees. The sharing of food and recipes serves as a great way to bridge cultural divides.

“The Chatty Café has grown from a very small group to now basically an international [community]. Some people don't speak English, and so [others] here can be interpreters,” explains Billy.

Regular attendee Michael says he loves the group because not only is it a place for him to improve his English, he can also learn about the world.

“Because we are migrants, we feel a bit lonely. We need to meet together, like a connection. Because it's very convenient for us to come here [to the local Neighbourhood House]. I believe it's a very nice place.”

“I also get a lot of information and messages from here. About some news, new technology. If you don't know something you can ask the library staff,” says Michael.

Volunteer Yvonne says there are a lot of the English-speaking members who enjoy teaching those who aren’t as confident with the language.

Another member, Joy, said staying connected to the community helps you keep your sanity. “It means you’re able to chat to people. It stops depression, really.”

The chatty cafe group meets every Tuesday at 10.30am at the Mackie Road Neighbourhood House in Mount Waverley.