During a year-long residency at Moko Tottenham, a North London hi-fi listening bar, I had the opportunity to explore modern vegan soul food within a space that celebrated the sounds and flavours of the African–Caribbean diaspora. Over the course of the residency, we introduced London audiences to the rich culinary history and traditions of Black American foodways—foodways that have long been overlooked, misrepresented, or undervalued.

The project allowed me to refine my practice through sustained experimentation, collaboration, and engagement with both the kitchen team and the wider community. The work combined rigorous culinary technique with a commitment to cultural storytelling and participatory experience. Collaborative events alongside the residency further extended this exploration, using food as a medium to build connection, share knowledge, and celebrate heritage.

The residency was both a challenge and a joy—equal parts exhaustion and exhilaration—offering deep insight into process, collaboration, and audience engagement. Recognition such as being named one of London’s best vegan restaurants by Time Out and winning the Uber Eats Black Business Fund affirmed the cultural and creative impact of the work, but the true measure was in the connections, dialogue, and shared enjoyment that the food made possible.