Colombia has new unofficial ambassadors to Australia: a Colombian couple’s original creation ‘Arepa Poderosa’ (powerful) aims to bring the arepa, one of Colombia’s most traditional dishes, to Australian palates. Living in Adelaide, David Cogua and Mary Avila didn’t want to distance themselves from their Colombian roots, and like many emigrants, one of the things they miss the most about home is the food they grew up with.
For David and Mary, living far from home has been a challenge, but it “was worth it.” For this Colombian couple from Bogota, what was initially planned as a six-month adventure turned into an eight-year journey in distant lands.
From Colombia to Australia: the Arepa Poderosa
This Colombian couple have participated in various fairs and entrepreneurial events in Australia, where their arepas, “Poderosa,” have been recognized as one of the most delicious foreign meals by attendees. The arepas David and Mary offer are made of cornmeal and filled with pulled beef and Colombian hogao, BBQ chicken, or pulled pork and cheese.
As is customary in Colombia, an arepa is often enjoyed with a drink, typically hot chocolate or a soft drink. This Colombian couple offer their arepas with either a drink from Colombia or an Australian soda. “Each arepa we sell comes with a typical Pony Malta soda that we import from Colombia,” says David. This combo is sold for 20 Australian dollars (US$13).
Both say their motivation for moving to Australia was to seek better working conditions and improve their proficiency in English. Even though their stay in Australia extended much longer than planned, they promise to return to their country someday. “We would like to return to Colombia later,” they said.
Far from home
A total of 15,257 km separates Bogota from Adelaide, but despite being so far from their homeland, the couple always proudly showcases a piece of their country, earning them a warm welcome. They told Colombia One that Australians are curious to know more about Colombia, to the extent that they even venture to speak Spanish and dance salsa.
According to data collected by the United Nations, by 2020 Australia had received more than 7.6 million foreign immigrants. The 15-hour time difference between the country and Colombia has not impeded the popularity of “Poderosa.”
When asked about the current situation in Colombia, the couple agreed that on their last trip to the country in 2023, they found Bogota and Colombia greatly changed. “The construction of the Bogota Metro is transforming the city into a new and different place.” One of their concerns when visiting their homeland was safety, but that changed once they returned. “Despite warnings from friends and family, we never felt unsafe upon arriving in Colombia. We know what it’s like to be there.”
This Colombian couple hopes that in five years, “Poderosa” can expand to Melbourne and eventually gain more recognition for the Colombian arepa in a country that has already become their second home.