You won't often see Western Bulldogs speedster Jason Johannisen and North Melbourne tall Majak Daw in a one-on-one duel on the football field but this week the two went head to head in the kitchen to promote the Scanlon Foundation's Taste of Harmony week.
Johannisen swapped a football for a frying pan as he took on Daw in a culinary contest at Victoria University Whitten Oval's own Barker's Café.
While Majak Daw showed off his diverse cooking talents with a dish of Pad Thai, 'JJ' went with a classic dish in the cook-off; a scotch fillet steak with potatoes.
Johannisen has fond memories of his family having the traditional Sunday roast growing up, and says he has his mother to thank for his cooking skills.
"It was always a family tradition to have a nice Sunday roast and get the cousins over, so that was pretty nice,” he said.
"I think my biggest inspiration in the kitchen was probably my mum, she was a stay at home mum, always looking after the kids while Dad was working. She spent a lot of time in the kitchen, so she was the person who taught me how to cook, basically."
Johannisen has a favourite food in mind for his own Taste of Harmony celebration.
"What I would bring to my celebration of harmony would be a sausage called boerewor. I don't think many people have tried it."
Bringing people together over a meal is a great way to celebrate Australia's cultural diversity, Johannisen said.
"I think that's what's great about A Taste of Harmony. It just brings so many cultures together. Food is going to bring us together. It's going to be a great day and I'm happy to be involved."
Meals prepared, Johannisen and Daw sat down to sample each other's fare and both were very impressed.
"I'm actually really surprised, Maj. You've done a great job", JJ said of Daw's Pad Thai, while Johannisen's fillet steak left Daw lost for words.
"I'm speechless,” Daw said.
Johannisen encouraged everyone to take part in A Taste of Harmony, a celebration of the many different cultures that football draws together.
"I think Australians should get involved in A Taste of Harmony because it just brings everyone together. Everyone enjoys food so why not enjoy it together and share your stories about your different backgrounds?"
A Taste of Harmony this year runs from March 20 to March 31, and is a free and delicious way to celebrate your workplace's cultural diversity.
Visit www.tasteofharmony.org.au to register your workplace.
