Activity

World Kitchen in Leith

World Kitchen in Leith is an intercultural collaboration which aims to bring communities together through food.

Beginning with our first public cookery demonstration at Leith Festival on 13 June 2009, this community venture will facilitate and host events so that people of different cultures can actively communicate aspects of their way of life to each other through food. As food grabs most people’s attention in one way or another, we believe that such events (and their offshoots) will encourage better understanding and strengthen connections between our many communities. We hope World Kitchen in Leith will make it easier for different groups to overcome barriers and work together as we learn from one another’s expertise and traditions

Background
Leith has a long history of people arriving and settling on its shores from all over the world. Different communities, representing many religions, cultures and traditions, have helped to make Leith one of the most vibrant areas of Edinburgh. However, due to pressures of daily life, many people rarely get the chance to meet and mix with neighbours hailing from various parts of the world. This can lead to separation from others, with people socialising almost exclusively within their own community.

Through Leith Festival, some members from these different Leith communities saw an opportunity to change the pattern. We took the chance to encourage the engagement of different communities during Leith Festival and beyond; bringing people together, through food, to explore the culinary delights of the world at our doorstep.

Why the World Kitchen in Leith?
Food is not only fundamental to our survival but also brings us untold pleasures through cooking and eating. These activities are part of every community. But food preparation and ways of eating can also be a window to different cultures and traditions. Cooking is an art experienced by all our senses – through colours, textures, aromas and tastes – bringing us comfort, gratification and enjoyment.

Through the World Kitchen in Leith we aim to:
• promote different community groups and their art of cooking (through demonstrations, classes, workshops and other activities)
• invite the wider community to participate in cooking and food-tasting events
• open a space for people to meet, communicate and connect with one another

The way forward:
- taking part in events such as Leith Festival
- organising seasonal events
- collaborating with others to enhance community integration

Who is the World Kitchen in Leith for?
World Kitchen in Leith is open to people of all ages from all communities of Leith – men and women, young and not-so-young. The launch at Leith Festival 2009 was initiated by a small group of enthusiasts but World Kitchen in Leith is now actively campaigning to include individuals and groups from every cultural tradition to come and join this community venture.

Email: worldkitchen.leith@googlemail.com
For more information: www.leithopenspace.co.uk/category/worldkitcheninleith

World Kitchen in Leith