Blending Stories: Spices, Memory, & Culture

Join the Edmonton City as Museum Project (ECAMP) for a free hands-on, family-friendly workshop exploring the connections between spices, memory and culture. What does home smell like? Maybe it’s cinnamon in something baking, cardamom in a cup of tea, dried herbs from a family recipe, or a particular combination of spices that immediately reminds you of someone or somewhere. Together, we’ll discover how spices appear across culinary traditions around the world, how different cultures combine familiar ingredients in very different ways, and why smell can be such a powerful trigger for memory. Then, it’s your turn to experiment. Participants will explore a sensory table of around 20 ground spices and herbs, smelling and combining them to create a completely custom spice blend based on their own preferences, memories and curiosity. There’s no recipe to follow and no "correct" combination. The experience is about discovering what smells good to you. Participants will create their blend, give it a name, capture the idea or story behind it, and take their custom jar home. Led by PhD researcher Aysha Samrin alongside Aman Ahmed, a former professional chef, Blending Stories brings together culinary culture, sensory exploration and storytelling in an experience designed for adults and children to enjoy together. No cooking experience is required. Just follow your nose. -- The Edmonton City as Museum Project (ECAMP) is an initiative of the Edmonton Heritage Council that explores the history of our city through story. This workshop is an extension of ECAMP’s exhibit Sensing the City, running at the Stanley Milner library from October 7 – 31. Sensing the City is an interactive, flexible, and accessible exhibit, exploring Edmonton's history through all five senses: taste, touch, sight, sound, and smell. Check it out in the North Atrium on the main floor! -- Aysha Samrin is a designer, educator and PhD researcher exploring the intersections of food, memory, migration and cultural heritage. Her doctoral research examines how food stories and digital storytelling can help preserve and communicate culinary knowledge across generations, particularly within diaspora communities. Drawing on her research and experience in participatory design, Aysha creates interactive experiences that invite people to explore the stories, places and relationships we carry through food. Aman Ahmed is a hospitality professional, former professional chef and enthusiastic home cook with a strong foundation in culinary practice and flavour development. His experience in both professional kitchens and hospitality brings a practical understanding of ingredients, techniques and the ways food brings people together. As culinary facilitator for Blending Stories, he guides participants through the sensory world of spices, helping them explore aromas, understand flavour combinations and experiment with creating a blend of their own. Allergy note: Spices featured in this workshop include mustard, paprika, and chili.

For accessibility requests, email us at ecamp@edmontonheritage.ca