Bounce Theatre's "Beyond the Plate" project has been a vibrant celebration of food, culture, and community. This innovative heritage work has brought together people of all ages to explore the rich tapestry of culinary traditions that make up our diverse society.
Community Engagement
The project has made significant strides in community outreach. Over the past 12 months we have delivered:
50 workshops for adults up to 70 years old
46 community workshops for children and young people aged 7-16
10 workshops for children with speech and language differences
These workshops have provided a platform for intergenerational learning and cultural exchange, nurturing a sense of community through shared culinary experiences.
Educational Experiences
Beyond the Plate has offered unique educational opportunities. Over the past 12 months we made the following happen:
70 children visited Paradise Cooperative
115 children participated in cookery classes, with Asher at the Home Café, learning diverse skills.
In the cookery classes, some of the skills the children developed were:
How to make pickles and paleo bars
How to use every part of a vegetable, e.g. a cauliflower, in cooking
These hands-on experiences have not only taught practical cooking skills but also promoted sustainability and resourcefulness in the kitchen.
Cultural Exploration
The project has been a journey around the world through food:
Over 60 recipes and associated memories have been collected
Culinary traditions explored include those from Scotland, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania, Jamaica, India, Africa, Trinidad, and Ukraine, among others
This collection of recipes serves as a testament to the multicultural fabric of our community and the power of food to connect us across borders.
Performance and Creativity
Young people have been at the heart of creative explorations. Three performances were created, examining:
The impact of AI on food access and cultural preservation
Environmental influences on cooking methods
Food and heritage in children's stories
These performances have encouraged young participants to think critically about the future of food and its role in our cultural identity.
The Mini Museum of Food
The culmination of this project is the creation of a cabinet to be housed at the Home Cafe:
Curated collection of recipes, stories, and artifacts
Preserves the diversity of food heritage for future generations
Serves as a permanent installation to celebrate community culinary traditions
This Mini Museum stands as a testament to the power of food to bring people together and tell the story of a community's diverse heritage.
Beyond the Plate has not only captured stories and recipes, but also fed minds and souls, creating lasting connections and preserving cultural legacies through the universal language of food.
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