We had a very successful evening last night. About 15 people came from the local community, many who were just interested in Tonga; or from Tonga or who had a connection with it.
Dee served a Tongan inspired supper of Watermelon Otai, a crushed watermelon, pineapple and coconut milk drink. Sapasui or Tongan chop suey; rice vermicelli noodles with chicken, vegetables, ginger, garlic and lots of dark soy sauce. Lupulu, taro leaves stuffed with corned beef, onions,tomatoes and coconut cream and haka talo, taro root cooked in coconut milk. For pudding we had faikakai malimai, banana coconut dumplings pan fried in butter and served with a coconut syrup.
Lupulu
Thank you to Val for the inspiration and to our volunteers Farhan and Jess for your help in making this special meal that was enjoyed by everyone.
Several people said they want to show the film elsewhere. One said that he had heard about the film a few years ago and has waited all this time to see it but never found it in London. So we think our event may have been the London premier!
Everyone enjoyed the film very much and it led to many reminisces about Futa and who had met him and where. People were also reminiscing about Tonga, what it is like there and their contacts with parts of the film. One wonderful woman came from Pacific Islands Society of the UK and Ireland (www.pacificislandsuk.org), she helps to organise lots of events. We hope to have a film series on Pacific Island together in the future.
The evening was a great success. We made some new friends and learnt lots as well.
Granville Community Kitchen 