Mrs Trajcevski is passionate about food just like her grand-mother used to make. Now after three decades she has decided it is time to be brave and open an eatery with authentic Macedonian dishes for the whole community to enjoy.

“This has always been on my bucket-list,” she said.

For many first-time visitors to Paprika the Taste of Macedonia Platter provides a sample of many different dishes on the menu.

“For people who have never had Macedonian food before we like to put small servings onto a large platter so they can have a little bit of everything. They are all very traditional. We have them all individually on the menu as well”.

Mrs Trajcevski got married soon after arriving in Australia. She initially worked in factories and production lines before getting a job at Target and then running a small cafe in Crown Street Mall. She would cook some Macedonian dishes for the markets and prepare some traditional sweets but the cafe was mostly about catering for everyone.

“My mind was always on doing this. I come from a family who have always been involved in restaurants. My maternal grand-father had a chain of cake shops. When he was younger he ran restaurants as well”.

Mrs Trajcevski learned to be good with pastry from her grand-father. But she learned how to cook from her grand-mother and wants to make sure some of the traditional dishes don’t disappear. And she wants to show everyone in Wollongong how good Macedonian food is.

“I am the first one to do this officially. I do have a couple of other choices on the menu including a chicken schnitzel. But my menu is 95 per cent Macedonian. People are very curious. I want to keep the traditional dishes alive”.

The best feedback is when people try some of the Paprika dishes and say their grand-mother used to make something like that.

Mrs Trajcevski studied commercial cooking at TAFE Illawarra. Being recognised as a qualified chef in Australia was the final step she required to fulfill her dream. People tend to visit the new restaurant in family groups but she also encourages young couples.

“A lot of them don’t know we are here yet. And a few very proud Macedonians told me this should have happened years ago. I tell them my children have grown up and this is my baby now”.

Mrs Trajcevski has several signature dishes including Sarma. Paprika Restaurant is open seven nights for dinner and every day but Monday for lunch.