YUMI, York’s intercultural network, is all set to launch Cook and Connect, a monthly virtual cookery lesson, with a focus on easy, nutritious world food dishes. Coming in early spring, the free online sessions aim to bring people together to learn to cook healthy recipes from around the world, using food as a way to learn about different cultures and connect to others in order to address loneliness and social isolation.
Volunteers and friends of YUMI will demonstrate cooking favourite recipes, using as much produce from their community allotment as possible, which will be pre-recorded and then shown via Zoom at an early evening Cook and Connect session. These recordings will be interspersed with stories about the dishes, i.e. if they are eaten at different cultural holidays, or family traditions in order to allow participants to learn about different cultures through food.
There will also be the opportunity to ask questions of the cook about the dish, and participate in interactive polls/quizzes. The recipe will be shared by email and participants encouraged to share photographs of the dishes once they have cooked them. Each monthly session would begin with a group discussion about the dish and suggestions for other dishes they might like to try.
The pre-recorded demonstrations will also be placed on YUMI’s website/You Tube channel to reach a wider audience and share knowledge about the wide range of fantastic home cooked dishes that feed our city.
YUMI aims to create a city where people feel valued members of society whatever culture or background they are from, and where people develop positive and resilient relationships that celebrate diversity. Food is a great way to encourage people to connect and break down social barriers – through our project people will not only learn how to cook simple and nutritious dishes but will be supported to connect with others.
The initial emphasis of this project will be to reach not only existing YUMI members, but also isolated people across the city, including students, socially excluded, shielding and lonely people.
York Unifying Multicultural Initiatives – YUMI – is an intercultural network. They provide opportunities for people who have come to live in York to meet with the local community, make friends, develop confidence and feel valued members of York community.
You can find out more by email: contact@yumiyork.org or on Facebook and Twitter: @yumiyork or www.interculturalyork.org
If you would like to lead a session, get in touch!
