East African Flavors Unite Neighbors in Neukirchen-Vluyn's Cooking Night

At a cooking evening in Neukirchen-Vluyn, participants learned how to prepare mtori, a hearty Tanzanian soup made with plantains, potatoes, onions, carrots, broth, and scallions. They also discovered just how delicious it tastes when they sat down to eat—and, thanks to Judith Tibamanya's guidance, they now know what other dishes complete this three-course East African menu.

But the November event, organized by the refugee aid program of Grafschafter Diakonie, was about more than just cooking and savoring food—it was about connection. "We want to create opportunities for people from different cultures, whether they have a migration background or not, to meet in an easy, relaxed setting," explained Heike Völlings, coordinator of the refugee aid program. "Shared cooking and eating is a great way to make that happen."

This approach aligns with the mission of Über den Tellerrand e.V., a Berlin-based organization whose "satellite" branch in Neukirchen-Vluyn—run by Grafschafter Diakonie and the Diakonie Moers church district—hosts these cooking evenings. The events take place in spaces provided by the local adult education center (Volkshochschule). "They've been a huge success," said Völlings, who regularly joins in the cooking. "We started in 2023, and now we host multiple sessions a year with chefs from different countries—there's even a waiting list. Details on the next event, including which international dish will be featured, will be in the upcoming VHS Krefeld program.