I hosted a monthly community lunch at the Rochelle Canteen at the ICA, preparing family-style meals under the guidance of the head chef and kitchen team. The lunches supported workshops delivered by the ICA for migrant communities in collaboration with the Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants. Many participants had no recourse to public funds and rarely had the opportunity to engage with food like this, so I prioritised abundance, nostalgia, and culturally appropriate ingredients.

This project was foundational in the development of my philosophy Intentional Nourishment, centring food as a practice of community, dignity, and joy. By sharing meals in a communal setting, the lunches created spaces for connection, care, and celebration, highlighting the role of food in fostering cultural engagement and collective wellbeing.