A WORLD OF CUISINE AWAITS ON PAKO

PAKO Festa punters will get a taste of other cultures on Saturday, thanks to a new festival initiative.

Geelong’s annual celebration of multiculturalism will this year feature a series of recipe cards sharing traditional family recipes from more than a dozen community groups.

The recipe cards can be collected from different food outlets during the festival, and include recipes from Bosnian, Croatian, Chinese, Hungarian, Dutch, Filipino, French, Greek, Nepalese, Indonesian, Iranian, India, Loa-Thai, Macedonian, Polish, Russian, Serbian, Slovenian, Ukrainian and Wathaurong communities.

“The recipe series provides a great chance for people to learn more about the rich diversity of backgrounds we have in Geelong, while expanding their skills in the kitchen,” Geelong Mayor Bruce Harwood said.

Organisers estimated the 2018 festival’s attendance at more than 104,000 people, providing a $5 million-plus economic boost to the region.

The City of Greater Geelong will provide more than $80,000 to support the festival, which will feature a street parade, food vans and stalls, performances, exhibitions and workshops.

Cr Harwood will launch the Pakington St festival in West Park from 12.20pm on Saturday.