Communities around Bendigo had spent the week preparing food for Zinda Night at Rosalind Park.
Members of the South Sudanese community went as far as hand-making traditional couscous to sell to the crowds, who packed into Rosalind Park to enjoy music, food and dance from many cultures.
It was the core event for Bendigo's Zinda Festival, a week-long celebration of multicultural music, food and art, run by Loddon-Campaspe Multicultural Services.
Read more: Zinda Festival kicks off in Bendigo
At least 10 cultures were represented on the evening.
Crowds could choose from Afghan, South Sudanese, South Indian and Karen foods to enjoy, while listening to music from many cultures.
Performers included Afghan pop star and refugee Navid Forogh, Chinese Lion Dancers, The African Gospel Band and Solomon Islands reggae performer Toli Wanefalea.
Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services executive officer Kate McInnes said she had already received lovely feedback on the night.
"[I'm] just thrilled that Bendigo is here supporting multicultural communities and celebrating, celebrating what Bendigo is today," Ms McInnes said.
"We are a changing community, and our demographics have changed in the last 10 years. This wouldn't have happened 10 years ago, we just didn't have the communities here.
"We have changed, and it's just fabulous that Bendigo's embracing that."
Castlemaine's Camila Serrano shared her Colombian culture by teaching the crowd salsa.
She said dancing connected the community and brought "a nice vibe" to the event.
"I really have a good passion of sharing my culture. It just brings variety and just sharing the joy and my passion really for salsa," Ms Serrano said.
"It looks like a very relaxed atmosphere and a great event to bring community together."
Enjoying a world of flavours
Whether it was chaat from Afghanistan or cous-cous from South Sudan, you could find it at Zinda Night.
The food was prepared by central Victorians from migrant and refugee backgrounds as part of a social enterprise run by Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services.
The Friday Food Safari supports central Victorians from migrant and refugee backgrounds to build up confidence and skills to equip them for employment.
It does this by preparing meals which are then delivered to workplaces.
Businesses can sign up to have lunch delivered to their office on a weekly or monthly basis.
Each week businesses receive a different vegetarian meal, from a different culture made with seasonal ingredients.
LCMS executive officer Kate McInnes said the social enterprise allowed participants to use existing skills, while learning more about the restaurant business.
For more information about the Zinda Festival, visit: zinda.org.au.
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Elspeth Kernebone
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
