Cookin at the social

So, last night I went along to the migrants social centre (steki) to see if I could get involved in the peoples kitchen (poster above). Every Saturday afternoon a group of volunteers put on a meal for whoever wants to come - 3 Euros if you can pay - nothing if you can't.Me and Phil went along last Saturday and around 30 people came to eat barbequeue and loads of other yummy things. It was awesome (although not quite so awesome if you're veggie/vegan).

If any of you reading this are involved with the Sumac Centre (www.veggies.org.uk/sumac/), its just like Peoples Kitchen. Only (I gotta say it) better. Here's why...

Every Thursday night the volunteers come together to decide collectively what they're gonna cook that weekend. They decide how much of everything they need to buy and nominate people to pick up all the ingredients and stuff. They pay for it from a kind of kitty that they have built up over the 2 years the kitchen has been running. Come the weekend, a group of them gather and cook together. There were about 12 people at the meeting. I got the impression most of them will be there come the weekend.

So, I got the feeling that the thing totally works! They make decisions as a collective (although its not consensual. They were voting on whether or not to accept a donation from a left political party to purchase a new cooker. They voted no!). They plan the meals together, and in advance. They pay for all the resources from a collective purse. And people come! partly because they advertise all over the place. The meeting was easygoing, lighthearted and efficient! I guess this is why there are so many willing participants. It all contributes to a sense of enjoyment to the project. People participate because its fun and the pressure of carrying the project doesnt fall on any one person, so committing to the project is a  managable thing in someones life. I left the meeting feeling that getting involved will be wicked.

So, I'll definitely be involved in the kitchen. Lets see how it goes.