Montebello AYF Keeps Culture Alive With Traditional Cooking Classes

BY ARPA HATZBANIAN

MONTEBELLO–The ‘Vahan Cardashian’ Chapter of the Armenian Youth Federation in Montebello announced on Thursday that it will begin offering its annual hands on traditional Armenian cooking classes starting February 3. The classes will be open to the public and will take place every first Wednesday of the month, for six months, at Bagramian Hall of the Holy Cross Church (900 W Lincoln Ave in Montebello). Volunteers from the community will give cooking lessons on their specialty dishes.

“Food is a big part of our culture and we don’t want to lose this knowledge as the generations come and go,” said Tamar Sadorian, the chapter’s chairperson, “Buying a recipe book isn’t always enough, it helps to visually see the food being prepared and to take part in the process.”

Class attendees will receive copies of the Armenian recipes and one-on-one training on how to prepare them.

The chapter offers these classes every year as a service to the community. The cost of a three lesson package is $25 dollars. Individuals interested in signing up or inquiring further can email vahan.cardashian@ayfwest.org.

“Armenians have a rich culture, but living in the Diaspora can make a people slowly forget the finer aspects of their heritage,” Sadorian said. “These classes are a great way to keep an important part of our culture, traditional Armenian Food, alive.”

The chapter will also be hosting a champagne brunch on Sunday, January 24, at 10pm in the Montebello Armenian Center (420 W. Washington Blvd., Montebello CA). Brunch attendees will be given a glimpse of the chapter’s upcoming activities for the year and will be able to sign up to the monthly cooking classes at a discounted rate, receiving a free fourth class with their purchase of a three class package.