Soul Food
About this Event
SOUL FOOD
Cooking & Wellbeing Programme
“Soul Food” is a FREE monthly cooking and wellbeing programme designed to support the mental and emotional health of Black adults through culturally meaningful food experiences. The programme focuses on preparing healthier adaptations of traditional Caribbean dishes while creating a safe, supportive space to explore topics related to mental health and wellbeing.
Each session centres on one traditional Caribbean dish and one mental health topic, linking the act of cooking with conversations about emotional wellbeing. We will learn practical ways to modify familiar recipes to support physical health, while also engaging in guided discussions on topics such as depression, anxiety, stress, and everyday coping strategies.
Sessions will be intentionally small (max 15) to ensure a comfortable and supportive atmosphere where individuals feel able to participate and share if they wish. You can enrol in the full five-session programme, allowing for deeper relationship building and continuity of learning or sign up for single sessions to reflect your availabilty.
All ingredients, wellbeing materials and light refreshments will be provided.
Once we have cooked our meals, we will engage in family style dining. We encourage you to invite a plus one after the class has ended to join us and enjoy tasting the meal you have prepared.
Please note ticket fees are to cover registration costs only.
DATES:
Session 1: 17th April - “Nourishing Your Roots”
Dish: Brown Stew Chicken with Rice & Peas & Steam Veg ( Veg option available)
Topic: Black mental health & Depression
Session 2: 22nd May - “Don't Worry About a Thing"
Dish: Ackee& Saltfish or Saltfish & Callaloo with Hard Food (Veg option available)
Topic: Understanding Anxiety & Worry
Session 3: 19th June - “Turning Up the Heat”
Dish: Jerk Chicken with Fried Dumplings, Festival & Home-Made Coleslaw (veg option available)
Topic: Stress, Triggers & Emotional Regulation
Session 4: 10th July - "Ital Is Vital"
Dish: Pumpkin Soup (with Chicken or Veg).
Topic: Self-Care & Boundary Setting.
Session 5: 14th August - "Likkle But Wi Tallawah"
Dish: Curry Chicken OR Prawns OR ChickPeas with Seasoned Rice and Plantains.
Topic: Building Resillience & Long-Term Wellbeing
TIME: 6pm - 9.30pm
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Photography & Videography Disclaimer
Please be aware that photography and videography will take place throughout this event. Images and video footage captured during the session may be used by the organisers for promotional and communication purposes, including on our website, social media platforms, and other publicity materials. By attending this event, you acknowledge that you may appear in photographs or video recordings and consent to the use of these images for the purposes outlined above.
If you would prefer not to be photographed or filmed, please inform a member of the event team upon arrival and we will make every effort to respect your wishes.
Agenda
🕑: 06:00 PM - 06:30 PM
Arrival & Registrations
Info: Arrival registrations and refreshments whilst completing well-being questionnaires, before we start prepping our cooking stations ready for the class to begin.
🕑: 06:30 PM - 06:45 PM
Welcome from Melanin Moods CIC
Info: Discussion of plan and theme of the evening.
🕑: 06:45 PM - 07:45 PM
Chef It Up
Info: Chef led cooking class preparing and beginning to cook our meals.
🕑: 07:45 PM - 08:30 PM
Soul Talks
Info: Mental well-being focussed conversations, discussing a new topic each month as we continue with cooking our meals.
🕑: 08:30 PM - 09:00 PM
Final Chef Touches
Info: Chef led cooking class continues as we finish off our meals and prepare to eat.
🕑: 09:00 PM - 09:30 PM
Let’s Eat!
Info: Now let’s enjoy the meal that we have prepared and nourish our bodies after nourishing our souls in conversation. Please feel free to invite a loved one to join us at this time to enjoy the meal with us.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 1.50 to GBP 5.00
