Memories are made in the kitchen

Permanent event at the Ingenium in Ottawa, Canada

4 June 2025

Andrea pours the batter for honey cake, a Jewish New Year tradition. Courtesy of Ingenium. The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum. Photo by Lisa Milosavljevic

Andrea pours the batter for honey cake, a Jewish New Year tradition. Courtesy of Ingenium. The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum. Photo by Lisa Milosavljevic

Celebrate the stories, technologies, and cherished objects found in diverse kitchens throughout Canada.

From the memories stirred up by cooking and eating, to the traditions that are adapted over time, visitors are invited to reflect on the experiences of a wide range of communities. Through stories, photographs, artifacts, and kitchen objects, this exhibition highlights how the preparation and sharing of food can hold powerful memories and help shape new ones.

Memories are made in the kitchen was developed in collaboration with over 70 community participants who shared their stories and offered a glimpse into their kitchens.

Exhibition highlights

Explore a series of beautiful photographs and meaningful stories from community participants across Canada.
Experience a collection of kitchen artifacts and objects that evoke your own memories and inspire new culinary discoveries-
Multisensory experiences including videos, audio stories, soundscapes, smell, and even taste in the adjoining Demonstration Kitchen.
Curious little cooks can learn through play in accessible, interactive play kitchens.

Ingenium

Ingenium is a collaborative space where the past joins the future to celebrate creativity, discovery and human ingenuity.

Location

Ottawa, Canada

Eugene cuts potatoes for his traditional fish stew in his kitchen in Newfoundland. Courtesy of Ingenium. The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum. Photo by Heritage Newfoundland and Labrador

Francisca prepares chin chin, a deep-fried cookie from Cameroon. Courtesy of Ingenium. The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum. Photo by Lisa Milosavljevic

Karam and Hamza learn how to make Punjabi parathas. Courtesy of Ingenium. The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum. Photo by Lindsay Ralph

Eugene cuts potatoes for his traditional fish stew in his kitchen in Newfoundland. Courtesy of Ingenium. The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum. Photo by Heritage Newfoundland and Labrador
Francisca prepares chin chin, a deep-fried cookie from Cameroon. Courtesy of Ingenium. The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum. Photo by Lisa Milosavljevic
Karam and Hamza learn how to make Punjabi parathas. Courtesy of Ingenium. The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum. Photo by Lindsay Ralph

Francisca prepares chin chin, a deep-fried cookie from Cameroon. Courtesy of Ingenium. The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum. Photo by Lisa Milosavljevic
Karam and Hamza learn how to make Punjabi parathas. Courtesy of Ingenium. The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum. Photo by Lindsay Ralph
Eugene cuts potatoes for his traditional fish stew in his kitchen in Newfoundland. Courtesy of Ingenium. The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum. Photo by Heritage Newfoundland and Labrador

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