Fun and free cooking courses
Community cooking with a focus on culturally varied and nutritious plant-based recipes
Made in Hackney, the UK’S first vegan community cookery school and charity, opened in 2012. “It’s a response to global and local crises: health inequality, food access and climate change,” explains Roshni Shah, partnerships manager. Teaching its students how to make plant-based meals means chefs and organisers see, “incredible evolutions in people’s dietary choices, cooking skills and confidence in making healthy, plant-based food choices.” Catering to the needs of the community is its focus: “We run classes for families, young carers, type-2 diabetes patients and many other groups.”
Made in Hackney works with chefs who reflect the people and cuisines of the area. “The West African dishes I made helped me make diet changes without compromising taste,” says Margaret, a participant. “I have three disabled adult sons, so the sessions are good for my mental health – spending time with other caring women, doing something for me.” Made in Hackney is always looking for ways to connect people. The meal service that launched in March 2020 is now part of its regular service, and it currently delivers around 1,000 meals each week. Maga Flores-trevino
Made in Hackney’s chefs relect the people and cuisines of the area