Creative Arts​

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Food for Thought

Recipes that tell stories

The meaning of food is an exploration of culture through food. What we consume, how we acquire it, who prepares it, who’s at the table, and who eats first is a form of communication that is, it has a rich cultural base. Beyond merely nourishing the body, what we eat and with whom we eat can inspire and strengthen the bonds between individuals, communities, and even countries.

Vatika Sibal 

Associate Professor at St. Andrew’s College of Arts, Science and Commerce

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Welcome to Food for Thought, an online collection of recipes and food memories where we explore the relationship between food and culture.

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Food has always been a great unifier of people, it can forge bonds between people and communities that transcend language barriers and cultural differences, as eating and enjoying food is something we can all understand equally. In several religious and cultural traditions the act of taking a meal together is an act of trust that fosters an immediate sense of community. For many refugees and migrants, food manifests not just as a way of expressing one’s cultural identity, but also as a means of retaining it. Sharing recipes past down through generations is one of the most tangible ways we can connect to our personal and cultural history, and one of the best ways to keep traditions alive whether in our homeland or in a foreign country. 

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If you wish to cook along with us contact us then please post a picture of your finished meal

and tag us on instagram @nmm_uk

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Check out the stories and recipes we have collected from migrants by clicking on the images below.