Burgeoning teen chefs forage their own bush tucker
Quenlyn Clifton, Nyulnyul man from the West Kimberley, and Ballardong man Mitchell Cartwright have been taught by Aboriginal Elders how to forage for food across WA.
Last year the pair, both 17, won bronze at the National Secondary Schools Culinary competition with a dish utilising native ingredients.
Quenlyn Clifton (left) and Mitchell Cartwrite (right) have learnt to create their own recipes. ( ABC Radio Perth: Ashleigh Davis )
"We used a saltbush butter to glaze the chicken marylands, and used pepper berry, lemon myrtle and finger lime powder in the roulade," Mitchell said.
"We also made a chutney with quandongs, bush tomatoes, and balsamic vinegar."
Cooking with native ingredients has become a source of pride for them.
"It's very important because of our heritage," Quenlyn said.
"I'm very proud to be an Indigenous person."
"We were the only Indigenous group to go and compete and to use actual Indigenous ingredients and to create an amazing dish — it just felt amazing," said Mitchell.
The pair are also learning to grow their own food via the Ballajura Community Garden, which is connected to the school.
The pair have found a love for gardening, fostered by Sam Meseti from the Ballajura Community Garden. ( ABC Radio Perth: Ashleigh Davis )
The brains behind the garden, Sam Meseti, has spent decades working with kids at risk through the Justice and the Youth Services sectors.
He said there are over 65 different cultures within the school, and he does his best to plant produce that reminds each person of their home countries.
"We've created an environment here that not only works for the community, but integrates work with the young people at the school that may be going through some difficult times.
Through the community garden, Sam Meseti has created a space for tactile learning. ( ABC Radio Perth: Ashleigh Davis )
"They can come here to an environment that gives them some tactile venting... they can work with me, talk to me, and we can see if we can work stuff out," he said.
"On top of that, we have these type of young people [Quenlyn and Mitchell] that come down and want to get involved in their culture, want to get involved with what we do growing fruit and vegetables, and we share."
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ABC iview Home Watch all your favourite ABC programs on ABC iview. More from ABC We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
