On a warm spring morning in Melbourne, the industrial kitchen of Philadelphia Church Melbourne was transformed into a space filled with aromas, memories, and connection, as EuRaw Inc. hosted its first Romanian Cozonac Workshop, a baking event that brought 30 people together through tradition, food, and shared experience.
The workshop is part of EuRaw’s broader mission to create meaningful community spaces where Romanian culture can be shared and passed on.
A hands-on workshop, from kneading to sharing a meal
Participants learned, step by step, how to prepare the traditional Romanian sweet bread named cozonac, with walnut and cocoa filling from activating the yeast and kneading the dough, to shaping, filling, and baking. Each participant went home with their own freshly baked cozonac, warm, soft, and fragrant. A true taste of home.
Beyond baking, the workshop also included a shared community lunch, cooked together on the day: a comforting chicken and mushroom stew with polenta, enjoyed around the table while the dough was proofing. For EuRaw, this moment of eating together is as important as the cultural activity itself because it’s a space where stories are shared, friendships are formed, and community truly happens.
What’s next for EuRaw
The Cozonac Workshop is part of a wider calendar of EuRaw activities, including:
- Community Șezători (craft and social gatherings)
- Cultural and theatre events
- A community picnic celebrating Romania’s National Day (1 December)
- A comedy theatre performance in December
- The EuRaw Christmas Community Event
Each initiative is guided by the same purpose: to strengthen community ties, preserve Romanian cultural heritage, and create welcoming, inclusive spaces for Romanians living in Australia.
Thank you
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants for their openness and enthusiasm, to Philadelphia Church for their generosity and support, and to everyone who continues to believe in and contribute to EuRaw’s vision.
The Cozonac Workshop was only the beginning. 💛
We look forward to welcoming you again at our upcoming EuRaw events.
All ingredients, utensils, and equipment were provided, and the workshop took place in a fully equipped professional kitchen, allowing participants to focus entirely on learning, creating, and enjoying the process.
The workshop was led by Florina Lăcătușu who taught us everything she knew about cozonac, and the meal was led by Veta Radu.
More than a workshop: a sense of belonging
The Cozonac Workshop was not only about cooking. It was about cultural memory, about recipes that carry family histories, and about the simple joy of doing something together. The feedback received afterward reflected this clearly, with participants describing the day as warm, joyful, and deeply nostalgic, “bringing the taste of home back to us.”
After all participants had left with their own cozonac, the three organisers stayed behind to bake one final batch a small but symbolic moment that captured the spirit of the day: generosity, dedication, and shared care.
What’s next for EuRaw
The Cozonac Workshop is part of a wider calendar of EuRaw activities, including:
- Community Șezători (craft and social gatherings)
- Cultural and theatre events
- A community picnic celebrating Romania’s National Day (1 December)
- A comedy theatre performance in December
- The EuRaw Christmas Community Event
Each initiative is guided by the same purpose: to strengthen community ties, preserve Romanian cultural heritage, and create welcoming, inclusive spaces for Romanians living in Australia.
Thank you
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants for their openness and enthusiasm, to Philadelphia Church for their generosity and support, and to everyone who continues to believe in and contribute to EuRaw’s vision.
The Cozonac Workshop was only the beginning. 💛
We look forward to welcoming you again at our upcoming EuRaw events.