THE Kerang Lakes social dinner group got together last week to make mie goreng for one of their last meals of the year.
The Cooking Up a Storm initiative, which started in 2010, sees a different person each month take the role of head chef, with everyone pitching in to prepare the meal.
Around 25 people usually sit down to eat together at the Lake Charm hall on the second Monday of the month.
Head chefs for November were Tati and Ken Loh, with an Indonesian menu which included spring rolls and deep fried bananas as well as mie goreng noodles.
Mr Loh, who had plenty of practice while living in Indonesia, said mie goreng was a “pretty easy” dish.
“You make a big pile of it and people help themselves,” he said.
“It’s just about knowing the right order of cooking things and having the Indonesian sauces.”
Mrs Loh cooked her specialty spring rolls.
“She can never make enough of them,” Mr Loh said.
Organiser Gaby Hogg believes it is the casual, communal and eclectic nature of the meals that makes them work.
“I think the beauty of it, is that we share the load and you don’t have to go every time,” Ms Hogg said.
“There’s a different person cooking every month and we can pair them up with someone more confident if needed.
“All sorts of people come along.
“You’re mixing with a group of people that wouldn’t otherwise come together.
“It’s a bit of fun and you’re picking up some skills as well.”
