Spices

Spices are vital to the food we cook in our kitchen. In Calais we have a spice store that the best kitchens in the world would be jealous of. Crates of paprika, harissa, chillies, sumac, turmeric, nutmeg etc etc. You name it we probably have it...

We use these spices to make spices mixes which form the base of our curries but also for our rices, condiments table and even to make spiced tea.

One classic spice mix we use is Berbere. Berbere is a spice mix that is central in Eritrean and Ethiopian cooking. Using spices mixes like this ensures the curries we serve have a cultural relevance and the familiarity of home.

Producing dishes that reflect the communities we serve is a cornerstone of the RCK ethos.

A challenge to all the spices lovers out there, can you name all the spices in the last photo??

Recipe Skill Share time

This week we met up bright and early for a recipe skill-share! In Calais we serve dozens of communities including Eritrean, Sudanese, Algerian, Pakistani, Egyptian, Iraqi, Moroccan, Senegalese and many more. Providing meals that are familiar, varied and delicious is at the heart of what we do, so researching and sharing recipes for spice mixes, salads, stews, desserts and drinks was a great way to kickstart the week's cooking!

Sam Jones' Punjabi Lobia in the Observer's 20 best curries

Great to see co-founder Sam's delicious recipe for Punjabi Lobia included in Observer Food Monthly's 20 Best Curries! It's a pleasure to see a Refugee Community Kitchen staple alongside recipes by chefs like Andi Oliver, Meera Sodha and Madhur Jaffrey.

"At Refugee Community Kitchen we make many variations of this curry, which is incredibly popular with all the communities we serve, as well as providing much-needed protein and energy" - Sam

You can find the full recipe here

We need Volunteers!

We are still serving in Calais but we are in desperate need of volunteers! We have a wonderful team who are working incredibly hard, but they need support as Winter sets in. We would love to see some familiar faces return to the stoves but newcomers are more welcome than ever! You don't need kitchen experience, just a willingness to work hard and get stuck in. We can teach you everything you need to know, from prep to cooking to serving.

If you're interested and can stay for 2 weeks or more, please get in touch here: volunteering@refugeecommunitykitchen.org

HUMANS OF RCK: Izzy

"I learned so much in my time with RCK and was constantly surrounded by a wonderful supportive team! In what is a dire situation, there is so much love, solidarity and humanity to be found." - Izzy

A huge thank you Izzy for her calming, steady, funny, bright and lovely energy in Calais over the last year. We wish you all the best on your new adventures and a well-earned rest along the way! A big thanks for bringing all your friends and family we love them too

HUMANS OF RCK: Quentin

Quentin works tirelessly in the bowels of RCK sorting out the most intricate of our marketing and social media problems. He is endlessly generous with his time, money and positivity, even finding time to drop off beer and chocolate at the gates of the warehouse when he passes by. He manages all of this alongside being an amazing dad, husband & beautiful human. We have so much gratitude - Love from all the RCK fam!

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY RCK!!

Year Five: "Our hardest year yet - but we're ending it on exciting news!"

From stepping into the Calais warehouse five years ago to serving close to three MILLION meals is an amazing birthday gift.

"2020 has been the hardest year yet for Refugee Community Kitchen - but there are always moments of hope. COVID-19 has altered every aspect of our service, impacted the communities we serve and is showing no signs of abating. We have continued to serve and are preparing for a long and cold winter. This makes the support we've received this year even more invaluable - from the incredible Migrate masks and Scorched Earth Project to the brownies, bracelets and brilliant t-shirts you've created and sold for us. We're ending the year on some exciting news - a new kitchen in Kentish Town and a new partnership with Soulful Food Co and hoping that 2021 brings better times and the hope that at some point we'll no longer be needed here. - Paula Gallardo

HUMANS OF RCK: Gemma

Gemma has been with Camden outreach for over 2 years now and cooking for most of it - she's taken to it like a duck to water. Enthusiastic, kind and consistent - the kitchen wouldn't have run half as smoothly without her and the love she has shown for the project. Luckily Gemma is able to cook her last service in the new kitchen before she leaves us to have a baby. We wish them health, happiness and lots of love in such exciting times!

"I’ve always wanted to help people in need directly and had been searching for a place I could make a real difference. I immediately fell in love with RCK and everything they stand for. I started cooking and serving food in Camden almost two years ago and I’ve never found it a chore - I enjoy every minute and I miss not being able to serve now I’m pregnant. RCK is a family and I’m so happy I’m part of it. All the people I’ve met are unselfish givers who want to change the world and help people". Thank you Gemma!