Nine’s Cultural Diversity Community Cookbook: A Celebration of Culture and Connection

Maya Brasnovic, Jessica Dillon, and Leah Beadman share the inspiration behind the cookbook project, the impact of sharing cultural stories through food, and how it fosters connection and inclusion.

Georgia Serrano's family sharing a meal together, photo taken from Share Table the Nine Cultural Diversity Community cookbook

Food has a remarkable ability to bring people together, and at Nine, this sentiment is at the heart of one of our most popular Community initiatives – the Cultural Diversity Community Cookbook, known as “The Share Table.”

Now in its second year, this cookbook is more than just a collection of recipes; it’s a reflection of the diverse cultures, stories, and traditions that make up Nine. 

To learn more about the impact of this initiative, we spoke to three key contributors from Nine’s Cultural Diversity Community: Maya Brasnovic, Director of Brand and Design at Pedestrian Group; Jessica Dillon, Executive Assistant; and Leah Beadman, Head of Client Solutions at Powered. They shared the inspiration behind the cookbook, the impact of sharing cultural stories through food, and how the initiative fosters connection and inclusion at Nine.

What inspired the idea of creating a Cultural Diversity cookbook, and how did the project come to life?

Maya Brasnovic – Director of Brand and
Design at Pedestrian Group

The inspiration for the Cultural Diversity cookbook came from Vaish Krishnan, who envisioned it as a fun and relatable way to celebrate and share each other’s cultures. 

Once we curated the submissions, the next step was to design the cookbook. As the designer, my priority was to ensure that the individual stories were at the heart of the book. I wanted it to feel like a cherished part of the holiday season – bright, fun, and infused with personality.  The result is a vibrant and meaningful celebration of culture and community, brought to life by the collective spirit of everyone involved.

The response to the project was truly heartwarming. People were excited to contribute recipes that held deep personal meaning, often accompanied by cherished memories and mementos that made each dish special. This enthusiasm created a beautiful collection of stories and flavours that highlighted the richness of cultural diversity. 

What has the response been from employees across Nine to the cookbook project?

Leah Beadman – Head of Client Solutions
at Powered.

Overwhelmingly positive – people have both loved seeing their recipes published and sharing it with friends & family, and have also enjoyed picking up the hard copy or reading the digital version to create something delicious. It’s been so positive that we’ve started to include it in our new starter ‘Welcome Packs’ now too so that no one misses out!

How did working on the cookbook deepen appreciation of the diverse cultures and stories within Nine?

Jessica Dillon – Executive Assistant

I’ve been fortunate enough to have been able to work on both the 2023 and 2024 cookbooks. Being a part of this project has deepened my understanding of Nine’s diverse cultures by highlighting how food reflects many things, including history, tradition and identity. 

Each of the recipes submitted by our colleagues told a unique story, through their ingredients, preparation or cultural significance, but all had a common theme: that food serves as a shared experience connecting communities and bringing people together. Working on this project has given me a greater appreciation for how food transcends generations and cultures, and strengthens bonds. It has been an honour to help share these stories and traditions.

How does the cookbook link to the wider goals and objectives of the Cultural Diversity Community?

Leah Beadman: Our overarching objective of the Community is to champion cultural diversity, and create a community where everyone belongs. We believe this initiative is such a key part of it. The cookbook really showcases our people’s passions and the amazing diversity across our company. It is a really tangible piece that enables us to actively involve people from our community, and beyond.

What do you hope readers will take away from the cookbook beyond the recipes?

Maya Brasnovic:  Beyond the recipes, I hope readers take away a deep sense of togetherness – something shared through the universal joy of cooking, eating, and sharing food. In large organisations, it can sometimes feel like we’re so far removed from one another and that we don’t have anything in common. This cookbook is a beautiful reminder that we have so much to connect over, and a chance to break the ice over a chat about the recipes in the book.

Are there any stories or recipes in the cookbook that particularly stood out to you? Why?

Maya Brasnovic: One story that really stood out to me was Lizzy Nan Tie’s contribution, Jonty’s Ham (page 35). It beautifully captures the incredible way food from different cultures can bring people together to share joy. Plus, the ham looks absolutely delicious – it’s the kind of dish that you can just imagine being the centrepiece of a fun gathering.

Lizzy Nan Tie’s Jonty’s Ham recipe featured in Share Table

How do you think sharing recipes, and the stories behind them, helps people connect with and appreciate different cultures?

Jessica Dillon:  I believe food is a universal language. Sharing our recipes with one another helps us connect with different cultures, providing a tangible experience into cultural values, traditions and history. Similarly, sharing the stories behind our dishes fosters understanding, helping to break down barriers. The result is that we are able to create common ground and celebrate both differences and shared experiences, which is such an important and rewarding outcome for all!

Share Table is available for everyone as a digital edition here.  https://ninecareers.com.au/nines-cookbook/

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