The People’s Kitchen
November 14, 2011
According to the Coalition Government community spirit is in short supply. People are adhering to the individualistic ideals of capitalism and are neglecting even to learn their neighbour’s names. The people’s kitchen stands to prove this notion wrong.
Every Sunday over the past year a group of like-minded individuals come together to share a passion for food. From the caveman to the modern man the sharing of food and hospitality is the ultimate gesture of camaraderie and community spirit. What festive, cultural or family event is complete without a communal meal?
The people’s kitchen was made by the people for the people. As such it transcends demographics and strengthens the ties of the local community. Cooking together people learn about food and bring with them their knowledge of traditional dishes. Tart tatins, cous cous, plantain, roasted pumpkins and ratatouille to name a few. In many ways the food reflects the diversity of the local community in Dalston.
Local shops donate surplus food that would otherwise end up on landfill sites. The rest of the food is either donated or foraged from the local area. Cooking delectable meals with surplus food highlights the topical issue of food waste. Meals are served up on a pay as you want basis, with the proceeds invested back into the kitchen. After a visit to the people’s kitchen, Sunday will never be the same again. Where else can you make new friends, cook, share food and listen to good music all for the price of enthusiasm and a love of food?
Article written by Jasper McKenzie (jtmckenzie@btinternet.com)
Successes in 2011: We collect, cook and give food on a donations basis every Sunday at our venue. Over the course of 2011 these events average 50 people each Sunday - for our anniversary last month we had 100 people. Steve Wilson, our founder, has led foraging walks before the cooking once a month, where we work in partnership with Hackney Harvest to collect surplus elderflower, apples, berries and other fruits that go unharvested in our borough. We have already achieved cooking all the crew food for the first ever Cloud Cuckoo Land festival (festival information here http://www.cloudcuckooland.org/ and photos here http://www.flickr.com/photos/thecloudsfestival/), where we served up a total of 1000 dishes to crew and festivalgoer’s. We have also featured in the Evening Standard, Positive News, Hackney Citizen and newspapers local to Dalston and Hackney.
The People’s Kitchen runs from 3 till 7pm every Sunday at Passing Clouds, 1 Richmond Road, Dalston. Dinner is served from 6:30pm. To get involved with the People’s Kitchen Dalston email daniel@thepeopleskitchen.org, or just show up any given Sunday.
All volunteers will be provided with cooking equipment and aprons.
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