TEN years of RCK

On the 1st of December 2015, Refugee Community Kitchen served their first meal in Calais. 

10 years later, RCK's co-founders Paula and Steve reflect on the beginning of this incredible journey. With co-founders Janie and Sam, they went to Calais as doing nothing about this humanitarian crisis was no longer an option. 

With the help of L'Auberge des Migrants who gave them a space in their warehouse, they built a kitchen in Calais. In 2016, they opened a kitchen in London as well.

After a decade of hard work, 2.5 million meals served and 20,000 volunteers, they are still actively involved in all the steps and abide by their core values: making warm, delicious, nutritious food without judgment.

10 years part 1: How it started

10 years part 2: Best memories from Calais & London

Food charity benefits from Gloucestershire cheese rolling race winner’s prize

Ava Sender Logan won the woman’s race in the annual Gloucestershire cheese rolling event. By Lynn Rusk, first published in the Evening Standard 5.5.25

The winning Double Gloucester was used by volunteers at Refugee Community Kitchen to prepare a meal (Lynn Rusk/PA)

The winner of an annual cheese rolling race in Gloucestershire has donated her prize to a food charity in London.

Ava Sender Logan, 20, who won the women’s race by tumbling down Cooper’s Hill in Brockworth last month, was racing for Refugee Community Kitchen, which supports displaced people in northern France and homeless people in London and Edinburgh.

The biochemistry student beat 25 other female contestants to win an 8lb (3kg) wheel of Double Gloucester, a semi-hard cheese renowned for its strong and savoury flavour.

Ava Sender Logan won the women’s race at the Gloucestershire cheese rolling event (Issac Tartaglia/PA)

Miss Sender Logan, who volunteers for Refugee Community Kitchen, said it was a “full circle moment” to see the winning cheese being used to help feed rough sleepers in north London.

Miss Sender Logan told the PA news agency: “It’s a full-circle moment. It’s really sweet. The cheese has travelled from Gloucestershire to Oxford to London to the kitchen.

“The cheese is delicious, so I’m really happy people can try it.”

Miss Sender Logan, who was a first-time competitor in the annual daredevil competition, said she was stunned when she won.

“I was trying to hold my head, stay on my feet as much as I could, but there’s only so much you can do,” she said.

“I was bruised, I was battered but there were no broken bones.”

Refugee Community Kitchen distributes hundreds of meals a week and has won a number of prestigious awards, including the Observer Food Monthly’s outstanding achievement award.

The charity, which was set up by four friends in 2015, has been serving “nutritious food without judgment” to those fleeing war, poverty, persecution and climate change for a decade.

Ava Sender Logan preparing her winning cheese at Refugee Community Kitchen in London (Sam Jones/PA)

Co-founder Sam Jones said: “It’s a really nice kind of full circle to have the cheese that rolled down the hill, the Double Gloucester that’s going into a cauliflower and broccoli cheese that’s going out to the street today.

“We’ve got about 85 to 90 people that will be scoffing that up in Archway in north London.

“It really fills us full of joy and satisfaction to be able to do that. We’re deeply indebted to Ava for putting her life and limbs on the line to get the cheese.”

Mr Jones said he hopes Miss Sender Logan’s support will help raise awareness of the work the charity does.

“We’ve served four and a half million meals in London and in Calais over the last 10 years, so we’re just really chuffed to have people on board to do this amazing fundraising and to raise awareness of our charity,” he said.

The Gloucestershire cheese-rolling race has been celebrated for centuries and is thought to have its roots in a heathen festival to celebrate the return of spring.

This year, there were seven races in all, two of them in memory of former cheese rolling winners who have since died.

You can donate to Miss Sender Logan’s fundraiser here.

Words from our Volunteers

London 2024 round-up

A HUGE thank you to everyone who made 2024 such an impactful year for RCK London! Together, we prepped, cooked, washed, peeled, served, made tea, drove, washed rice, peeled bananas, and so much more to make it all happen. This year, we served a whopping 27,533 meals!

These meals were distributed at our Camden, Archway, Goodge Street, Swiss Cottage, Old Street, Bethnal Green, and Brixton services, as well as to the Gospel Oak Living Room and Spring Board Youth Academy.

We are endlessly grateful to our incredible supporters and volunteers—you are the driving force behind everything we do.

Special thanks to Felix Project and City Harvest for providing surplus food every week, enabling us to serve hot, nourishing meals to vulnerable families, young asylum seekers, and people sleeping on the streets of London. This winter, your support has been critical in bringing warmth, care, and sustenance to those facing the hardest circumstances.

Reflecting on this year, we’re overwhelmed by the compassion and solidarity of our community. Together, we’ve made a tangible difference—one meal at a time. As we step into 2025, let’s keep this vital work going.

Thank you for standing with us.

@thefelixproject @cityharvestlondon

RCK in Exodus magazine

International Migrants Day

Today is International Migrants Day

RCK stands in solidarity with migrants worldwide and remains dedicated to supporting those enduring extreme hardship in Northern France. Every day, thousands of people—many fleeing war, persecution, and poverty—are forced to live in makeshift camps, facing malnutrition, harsh conditions worsened by the winter cold, and relentless disruptions from French authorities.

We remain committed to providing hot, nutritious meals to those who need them most. Food is more than nourishment – it’s dignity, connection, and care.

On this day, we recognise the strength, resilience, and humanity of all migrants. We stand with you.

If you’d like to support our work and show solidarity, please see the link below nto donate to our winter fundraiser, or volunteer your time in one of our kitchens.

Andi Oliver’s call for urgent winter funds for Refugee Community Kitchen

Last month we had the pleasure of welcoming Andi Oliver: chef, TV presenter; and author of The Pepperpot Diaries, to our kitchen in Gospel Oak, London. Andi is a long lasting, dedicated supporter and good friend of RCK.

Andi Oliver spent time with us in Calais during the winter months in 2016 and has since been advocating for people less fortunate than ourselves and has recently joined as one of our trustees!

Andi spent the day with us in the Gospel Oak London Kitchen cooking an exquisite menu of coconut curry chicken, with sticky orange & ginger aubergine and cashew nut rice and made lore than enough to feed over 150 people!

Please click on the link to donate to RCK’s winter funds ❄️🙏

Honouring World Refugee Day: RCK Stands in Solidarity

On this World Refugee Day, RCK stands united with refugees around the globe. For the past eight years, our organisation has been dedicated to providing nourishing meals and support to displaced communities in both Northern France and London. We acknowledge the strength and resilience of those forced to leave their homes, and we are committed to supporting them in their journey.

Through the tireless efforts of our volunteers, we have managed to serve thousands of meals, touching the lives of countless individuals. We understand that food is more than sustenance; it is a symbol of care, dignity, and hope. By providing hot meals, we strive to restore a sense of normalcy and offer a moment of respite amidst the challenges faced by refugees.

Join us on this World Refugee Day as we honour the strength, resilience, and humanity of refugees. Together, we can create a world where every individual is valued, protected, and given the opportunity to thrive.