I have been blessed to travel to many parts of the world. And, while each destination is packed with postcard-perfect moments, for me, the truly magical memories are those that I collect when I connect with a city’s people. Particularly when they are the branches growing from the same Cedar Tree by which we are commonly rooted. These include the many Lebanese-Australians I was able to meet on my trip to Sydney, last October.
Leaving what I know in Lebanon - whether it is the bustling streets of Beirut or the sounds of nature that ring through its Northern villages - is always a combination of overwhelming yet exhilarating. The thrill of sharing my homeland's vibrant and diverse culture and cuisine with the world is strong. But so too, is the opportunity to connect with far-flung migrants - and find out how they too have tightly held onto the traditions of our beloved Lebanon. Often, through a shared connection over food.
Sydney Australia is home to a thriving Lebanese community. Over 87,000 of them. And for this reason, it is not uncommon to stumble across grocery stores, where the familiar aromas of za’atar, sumac, and na,na fill the air. To dine at restaurants where the generous mezza spreads and tables laden with tabbouli, hummus and kibbeh would make gidou’s generations proud. And, where locals will warmly welcome you into their homes and their hearts to demonstrate that the universally renowned Lebanese values of family, warmth, and hospitality can truly transcend borders, cross oceans, and take root in a new home.
One of the best events I attended during my trip last year was a visit to New South Lawyers. An award-winning Sydney law firm, founded by brothers Toufic and George Bazouni in 2011 - who had also generously sponsored an exclusive dinner in partnership with Aalia Restaurant's Executive Chef Paul Farag and Lebanon’s first and only Michelin-starred chef Groupe Alan Geaam.
Within the walls of this Parramatta law firm, I soon realised just how seriously some migrants take their responsibility to keep the traditions and values that they received from their ancestors alive. Here, in an office - where the matters of the day typically see the team of lawyers handle complex, high-value family law, building and construction law, and criminal law disputes (among others) - the professional mixed with personal, with the corporate space transformed into an impromptu festival. One where the flavours of roaming canapes such as home made falafel, fattoush and sumboosik were as good as the type you would tuck into in Tripoli. Where the traditional drum beats transported me to a party with old friends. And, where the iconography on the walls was a reminder to always count my blessings.
Toufic, George and team at New South Lawyers (several of them also Lebanese-Australians) were so generous with their time. Their love for Lebanon is strong. And their resilience and dedication are inspirational. A testament to the power of food in bringing people together. Through eating with many who counted themselves of Lebanese blood (even if they had never stepped foot on this land), I came to find that food was more than just mere sustenance; it was a way to preserve our culture and pass on our heritage to future generations. Dining together bridged the gap between our experiences and created a sense of belonging. It was a powerful reminder that no matter where we were in the world, we could always find a taste of home. As I immersed myself in the Lebanese-Australian community, I realised that our cuisine was a living connection to our past, a way to honour our forefathers and celebrate our culture. Each spoonful, a shared tribute to the land we came from and their power to thrive as a legacy in a new world.
My travels are always enriched by the bonds I form through those I meet. Among the many Lebanese-Australians I now count as friends, New South Lawyers’ Toufic and George Bazouni and their team of award-winning lawyers are a beautiful testament to the enduring spirit of migrants who continue to uphold the traditions of the Motherland. To ensure that the love of Lebanon remains vibrant and alive, no matter where we are.
