Ryla's past studies have included Industrial Design at TAFE in Perth and Interior Design at Melbourne's RMIT before transferring to the Toronto Ryerson School of Interior Design. She hopes to pursue further research and design with communities and work in publications.
She recalls: One of my most memorable meals is one of the simplest. Many years ago, we were on a few hours' lay-over in Frankfurt. We met with Hannelore and Toni, my grandmother's cousin and husband, who brought some goodies for us to share at the botanical gardens. We ate heavy German bread, over which we spread thick slices of sausage and cheese. These three simple ingredients somehow remain in my mind still today. Perhaps it was the quality (fresh, German bread, in my opinion, surpasses all others), the richness, or the combination of tastes. I have the inkling, however, that instead it was the way we shared our meal together, sitting on a bench in the greenery and fresh sunlight, layering our sandwiches; Hannelore slicing with the knife against her thumb onto the bread we held in our hands, watching groups meandering by, listening to the rhythms of a foreign language.
Sarah is an urban designer who was born and raised in Mississauga. She has a Master of Architecture from the University of Waterloo, and was inspired to start Craving Change Mississauga, an NPO focussed on increasing food literacy in the City. She received the Pearson Fellowship for Social Innovation for this work in 2011.
She recalls: I wanted to see mountains. So, I flew into Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on someone's very good word that "I will be taken care of". He was right. I was taken in by an incredibly kind, generous and beautiful family. Every night, we would all come together for dinner, taking a seat atop a plush Kashmiri rug where fresh, homemade food would tease us from the centre. I distinctly remember savouring rich curries of chicken, fish and vegetables, with white rice and the tastiest yogurt I've ever had. : ) We would eat gratefully with our right hands, as stories and laughter would fill the room (I suspect my broken Urdu caused a few chuckles). Being privy to such authentic moments with this family was incredible, and needless to say, one of the most enriching and satiating experiences of my life.
