A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS: A COMMUNITY-BASED COOKERY COURSE IN THE HEART OF STOKE-ON-TRENT
This week our educational programme continues at Acava studios, with participants from a variety of backgrounds coming together to enhance their skills in the kitchen and give back to their community. Through experience we know that the best way to empower individuals is to give them freedom to be the best version of themselves, leading and helping others, continuing to learn from each other, and making room for personal growth in a safe and nurturing environment.
THE COURSE
The course is running for two days a week, this week and next. The participants join us for full days in the studio, cooking, baking, learning, sharing ideas and connecting with each other. This time round we have partnered with local organisation Above and Beyond to provide course places for refugees under their care, young individuals that have only arrived in the UK within the last 6 months. Above and Beyond really do what they say on the tin, they go the extra mile to provide support, opportunity, and development for anyone who may need it. They ‘aim to demonstrate through actions that ALL young people are valued and valuable’. We share the same values and so joining forces on this seemed like a natural partnership.
INCLUSIVITY THROUGH FOOD
How do we welcome and integrate people into our community who don’t speak the same language and limited knowledge of local culture? Food is a universal language and connects people at its most basic level. It is well known that great stories are told, and solid connections are made around a dinner table, so why not attribute this to a kitchen environment too? We are so fortunate to live in a time where we have the tools to make difficult communication a little easier – let’s use it and think outside of the box.
THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY
This time round we have linked the course to community by using some time to make up meal bags to distribute through Newcastle under Lyme based charities. The bags include recipe sheets with budgeting information and links to our YouTube channel where other recipe videos are available to view – making it accessible to more. A nutritious, simple and budget friendly recipe to help individuals during the current economic climate.
A SUCCESS
At Feasted we believe that a lot can often be done with a little. We have also had previous participants return to join this course, taking what they have learnt to teach others and spread their wings a little. A full circle moment both for us and them.
This is Phoenix, a previous participant of one of our courses. They are now part of the Feasted team and lead on flatbreads on the course.
Stay tuned for more updates on our educational ventures and work within the community, we’re also growing!