Together at the Table
Free Cooking Classes, Creative Workshops and Community Meals Across Southampton
Last week, across three locations in Southampton — Northam Community Link, Holy Trinity Church in Weston, and Shirley Baptist Church — local residents came together as part of a pilot project designed to bring communities closer through the shared experience of cooking and creating together.
Over three days, chefs Victoria Ugwoeme and Tia Binstead welcomed community members into the kitchen to prepare delicious, nutritious meals using food bank ingredients and surplus food. Alongside the cooking, participants also took part in creative workshops led by local artist Anna Carr.
We were delighted to welcome a wide range of people from across the community, all eager to get involved — whether that was cooking, creating, or simply connecting with others. The result was three vibrant and varied meals, accompanied by incredible homemade juices prepared by Victoria.
As well as learning new culinary and creative skills, participants had the opportunity to build meaningful connections with people they might not otherwise have met.
The three days were truly heartwarming, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who made it possible — especially our chefs Victoria and Tia, artist Anna Carr, and our partners The Big Difference, Feed The Community, Southampton City Mission and Easy Tz Meal.
About the Sessions
Free cooking class and community meal with creative workshop
These cooking and shared meal sessions bring people from across Southampton around the table to connect through food, stories and culture.
Each session features a hands-on cooking class led by a local chef, demonstrating how to prepare healthy, affordable dishes using food bank ingredients and surplus food. After cooking, participants come together to enjoy the meal they’ve created.
Participants work in small groups of eight, taking turns in the kitchen. While waiting, everyone is invited to join a free creative wellbeing workshop — offering space to reflect, connect and express themselves.
Artwork created during the sessions will be showcased in a final public exhibition on 31 March, funded by Southampton Forward as part of the wider Food Partnership celebration.
This pilot project celebrates the strength and diversity of Southampton’s communities, supports local food banks, and highlights the power of partnership through the Food Partnership.
