Born to an Australian mother and Indonesian father, Lara Lee said it “finally made sense” for her to understand her background after she visited Indonesia for the first time.
Lara Lee said she didn't have the easy access to be able to visit Indonesia as a child, but instantly felt the warm welcome from its people when she visited Timor with her family at the age of 21.
Now, she has the opportunity to reconnect with Indonesia and her heritage, to look back at what has shaped her identity through culinary show 'Beyond Bali with Lara Lee'.
It looks like Lara Lee can't stay away from spicy dishes. Credit: SBS/Beyond Bali with Lara Lee
It's a journey to really reconnect with my heritage and kind of go back to that family home where my dad grew up and really get more of a sense of who I am, who my family are.Lara Lee
Lara Lee said she felt very lucky to have the opportunity to be involved in a show that—not only highlighting her cultural heritage—but also giving her the opportunity to explore Bali, Lombok, Sumba, Flores, and West Timor.
Lara Lee spoke to SBS Indonesian about her past, her relationship with Indonesian cuisine and how the show meant to her personally.
Lara Lee spoke about her new TV show 'Beyond Bali with Lara Lee' at the show's launch at the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Sydney, 23 September. Credit: SBS Indonesian
Listen to the full podcast.
