For the love of good food

Moussa Amine Sylla from Haringey Community Food Network on the success of its project inviting residents to share recipes that matter most to them

In a borough as vibrant and diverse as Haringey, food has always played a powerful role in connecting people, cultures, and generations.

That’s why, at Haringey Community Food Network (HCFN), we’ve launched a new community-led initiative called ‘Recipes of Love’ — a project that invites residents to share the dishes that matter most to them and the stories behind them.

We started our journey at Goan Community Centre in Tottenham, the Gospel Centre in Hornsey, and Calvary Church in Northumberland Park.

At each venue, we were met with warmth, generosity, and rich conversations about food, heritage, and memory. These early gatherings reminded us just how deeply food is woven into people’s identities — it’s not just about what we eat, but why we eat it, how we cook it, and who we share it with.

Each Recipes of Love session offers participants the chance to tell the story of a meal that holds meaning in their lives. It might be a traditional family dish passed down through generations, a creative invention born of necessity, or a comfort meal that carried someone through hard times.

As people share their stories and recipes, they often discover common threads across cultures: the way food brings people together, helps us heal, and gives us a sense of home.

More than just a recipe collection, Recipes of Love is a living archive of the borough’s cultural richness.

Maddy, from Absurd Intelligence, said: “Getting to hear the stories that sit behind each of the dishes, as they are shared with the community, is a beautiful and connecting experience.”

One of the highlights so far has been the participation of local chef Cynthia Rowe, who cooked and shared a cherished family recipe. She said: “For me, food has always been a way of remembering. Sharing this dish was like bringing a piece of my grandmother’s kitchen into the room. That kind of connection is powerful.”

These gatherings do something even deeper: they open up space for listening. By sharing the stories behind our meals, we’re creating a culture of reflection and mutual learning — a foundation for stronger, healthier communities.

Recipes of Love isn’t just about food — it’s also about democracy. Listening to each other’s experiences is a powerful act that deepens understanding, builds empathy, and lays the groundwork for action. It’s this spirit of listening and connection that also informs our commitment to hosting popular assemblies — spaces where everyone can share, reflect, and contribute to shaping the places we live in.

The project also serves as a gentle act of resistance against the isolation that can creep into urban life. As public spaces close and people spend more time alone, we see food as a tool to rebuild relationships, restore connection, and celebrate the shared humanity in all of us.

Having already expanded the project to new venues — including the Antwerp Arms, the Kurdish Advice Centre, and Edible London — we’ve begun connecting with a rich tapestry of communities. Each space brings its own unique stories and flavours, and we’re eager to keep exploring what emerges from these new relationships and take the initiative to new shores.

This isn’t just our journey — it’s yours too. We are calling on anyone passionate about food, culture, and community to be part of this growing tapestry of stories. Whether you’re a home cook, a curious eater, or someone with a dish that tells your story, we’d love to hear from you.

Let’s keep building a borough where everyone’s story is heard, and every flavour has a place at the table.

To get involved or share your own Recipe of Love, contact Haringey Community Food Network:
Email [email protected]

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