Food: The universal language of love

Meet Barbara, one of our much-loved residents at John Wesley Gardens. 💚 Barbara and her husband, Tup, once ran the beloved “Hooked and Cooked” seafood restaurant in Caloundra, a venture they embraced after their cab driving business unexpectedly ended. With no prior experience in the restaurant world, Tup felt an undeniable calling to Hooked and Cooked. But Barbara had one condition: “Make sure it doesn’t serve seafood!”

We’re sure Barbara reflected on this many times during those early morning visits to the Caloundra Auction Markets, hand-picking their fresh catch of the day straight off the trawlers (no frozen seafood for Hooked and Cooked!). When asked what her favourite dish on the menu was, Barbara has a clear winner, grilled reef fish with mornay sauce.

Barbara recommends using any fresh reef fish and pairing it with a crunchy side salad and hot chips. Because everybody loves hot chips! Is there anything more Australian than a plate of fresh fish and chips? Barbara’s story is a beautiful reminder of how food brings us together, filled with memories and flavours that warm our hearts.

Our beautiful St Marks Italian Nonna, Elvira, recently shared that she has NEVER purchased store bought pasta in her life! Born and raised in Italy, making homemade pasta was more than just a tradition for Elvira, it was a way of life, passed down from her mother when she was just ten years old. 💚 When Elvira married her husband, Palmerino, in 1956, they were given a unique honeymoon gift from her great uncle, who worked for the Italian Government, an opportunity to travel to Australia. With little knowledge of what awaited them, the adventurous couple happily accepted, ultimately deciding to make Australia their new home.  

Last month, Elvira’s son, Peter, brought in all her cherished pasta making tools from home, and she took the opportunity to whip up the most delicious homemade pasta for her new ‘village’, St Marks. Most of our residents watched on in awe, never having seen pasta made from scratch before. When it was ready, every single one of them savoured her lovingly made pasta, simply cooked in butter and seasoned with salt and pepper.

Now the only question on Nonna Elvira’s mind is, “When we make pasta again?” Her passion for cooking not only nourishes the body but also lifts the spirits, creating a beautiful connection among us all.

Kids! They have a magical way of inspiring us to explore new passions we never thought we’d embrace. For long time WMQ volunteer Lindon, that passion turned out to be baking! It's a delightful twist of fate that Lindon only discovered his love for baking after retirement, quite ironic given that he used to deliver biscuits to our residents as part of our trolley service! He's also quick to say he doesn’t consider himself a cook, as his culinary skills mainly revolve around his famous jam drops and sugar cookies! 

Lindon’s jam drop recipe is courtesy of a cookbook purchased from his kids’ school, which seems fitting, seeing as his sons are the biggest fans of his cookies. But they’re not the only ones who appreciate his sweet creations. The volunteers at Wheller Gardens Residents’ Library eagerly await the days when Lindon pops in with a plate of freshly baked cookies. 💚

Lindon’s journey from delivering biscuits to baking delights is a moving reminder how love and inspiration can bloom at any stage of life.  

Meet Janet, one of our much-loved volunteers, who can usually be found surrounded by books at Wheller Gardens Residents’ Library. As a former Librarian and a lifelong lover of literature, there’s truly no place more perfectly suited to Janet than amongst the shelves of stories waiting to be discovered. 💚

When Janet first got married, her husband playfully gifted her a cookbook called the ABC of Simple Cooking. She laughs, recalling it as a cheeky move, but lucky for him and her family, it sparked a lasting love of cooking, with her savoury tooth leaning towards roasts, sausage rolls and corned silverside with mustard sauce.

Becoming a grandmother brought new joy, leading Janet to try her hand at what she calls her one and ONLY cake recipe, which her grandsons are always happy to devour. Lucky for us, Janet is happy to share her lemon drizzle cake recipe with us too, so we can enjoy a slice of her tangy sweet treat.  

Some things are just meant to be! Take Cooper House resident Jackie, a passionate foodie, who found herself at a dinner party when disaster struck – the host realised her oven was broken, only minutes before she popped in her dessert. In a moment of quick thinking, Jackie stepped in to save her friends dinner party and the 'accidental microwave sticky date pudding' was born, transforming a potential culinary crisis into a delightful treat!

Jackie's love for cooking began at 19 when she tied the knot and decided to master the art of hearty, nourishing meals. While many were opting for shortcuts in the kitchen, Jackie took immense pride in crafting her dishes from scratch. She baked her own bread, simmered comforting soups, and even blended her own curry powder!

What Jackie truly adores is cooking for a crowd. Ironically, her microwave sticky date pudding, born from necessity, became a standout dish at her own dinner parties. “As soon as I set it out, people would make a beeline for it!” she laughs, remembering the joy it brought to her gatherings.

We’re so grateful to Jackie for sharing her show-stopping recipe with and can't wait to try it!💚

“Waste not, want not” is a mantra that many of us are familiar with, and the Eigel family truly embodies that spirit. They transform their Sunday roast leftovers into a beloved family creation: the famous Eigel family salad.

Helen recommends enjoying this salad alongside your favourite roast meat, complimented with a dollop of homemade mayonnaise. The result? A delightful combination of crispy, crunchy goodness that not only reduces waste but also brings joy to the table. A brilliant reminder of how love and creativity in the kitchen can turn simple leftovers into something truly special! 💚