Celebrate Pride Month with RCK!

At RCK, we believe in celebrating diversity, inclusivity, and love in all its vibrant forms.

Our kitchen is not just a place where hot meals are prepared; it is a haven of love, understanding, and support. We believe in the power of food to nourish both the body and the spirit, and we extend that love to all who seek our services. As we come together to celebrate Pride Month, let us remember that solidarity knows no bounds.

Just as the LGBTQ+ community embraces diversity and unity, we aim to reflect these values in every meal we serve, infusing our meals with a kaleidoscope of vibrant coloured vegetables. From the radiant reds of tomatoes to the brilliant yellows of bell peppers, and the rich purples of eggplants, our kitchen is bursting with a spectrum of flavours and hues.

At RCK, We want everyone to feel safe, valued, and embraced, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. And with the help of our wonderful volunteers and supporters, we can create a world where everyone is celebrated and accepted for who they are.

Join us in spreading the message of love and acceptance, where we can make a difference, one meal at a time. Happy Pride Month!

Volunteer for RCK this Summer!

RCK are currently operating at four different locations across Calais and Dunkirk and are proud to have a dedicated team of volunteers who serve five days a week.

We're always seeking more volunteers to join our incredible team.

With greater support, we can expand our services and reach even more refugees by extending our operations to six or even seven days a week. Our goal is to serve as many living sites as possible, ensuring that we not only offer meals but also provide essential amenities like tea and filtered water. As the summer approaches and temperatures rise, these provisions become even more essential.

Please consider joining our amazing team and volunteering with us this summer!

Global Public Welfare Trust

RCK want to express huge gratitude to the Global Public Welfare Trust for their generous contributions of meat during the Ramadan period. The meat donations helped to provide nutritious meals to refugees who may have otherwise gone without, bringing comfort and a sense of community to those who are far from their homes and loved ones. The kindness and generosity of organisations like the Global Public Welfare Trust are essential in supporting the vital work of the Refugee Community Kitchen, and their on-going contributions are deeply appreciated by all those who benefit from their efforts.

Eid al-Fitr

Today is Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, and to celebrate, RCK will be cooking jewelled rice as well as a traditional dessert called ‘Sheer Kurma’ for the refugee community in Calais.

Sheer kurma is a popular dessert in many Muslim countries, especially during Eid celebrations. It is a creamy and sweet vermicelli pudding made with milk, sugar, and vermicelli noodles, and it is often garnished with nuts, raisins, and cardamom. Sheer kurma is usually served after the Eid prayers as a way of breaking the fast.

Jewelled rice is a dish that is traditionally enjoyed during Eid in many parts of the Muslim world. It is a fragrant and colourful rice dish, made with a blend of spices, nuts, and dried fruits, and it is often served alongside meat dishes.

RCK are preparing 500 servings, which we will distribute to refugees and asylum seekers across Calais and Dunkirk. By cooking jewelled rice and sheer kurma for Eid, RCK is not only providing a delicious meal for those in need but also helping to bring a sense of community and celebration to the refugee community. In a time of uncertainty and hardship, gestures like this can make a world of difference and remind people that they are not alone.

We ask anybody who is able to show their support for refugees this Eid al-Fitr by making a donation to the Refugee Community Kitchen. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Your donations will help to purchase food, equipment, and supplies needed to prepare and serve meals to refugees. No donation is too small, every bit makes a difference and we can ensure that thousands of refugees will have a hot meals to celebrate Eid and other such festivals for years to come.

Thank you for your generosity and compassion.

Gospel Oak Living Room

RCK has spent this winter in collaboration with Gospel Oak Living Room, a community center that provides various services to its local residents, including a food bank, and a warm and welcoming space for people to gather. During the winter, the Living Room launched a campaign to keep its visitors warm and comfortable.

To achieve this goal, the Living Room has teamed up with RCK. We provide hot meals and warm drinks to the Living Room's visitors. Together, the Living Room and the RCK are working to create a safe and inclusive space for everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. By offering warmth, nourishment, and a sense of community, we are helping to combat the isolation and hardship that many people experience during the winter months.

Welcoming Little Amal!

Little Amal embodies so much about the work RCK has been doing for the last 7 years, welcoming and supporting displaced people on the move with love and kindness 💙

We are thrilled to be serving food and welcoming her on her upcoming visit to Camden!

Join us on April 2nd and help be a nation that welcomes people in need with open arms!

We will be at Wings over Rowley Way & Light My Way in Chalton Street, Somers Town which are two communities close to our hearts that we are proud to live in and support with good food & love 

It Depends on What Direction You Look In by Jules De Balincourt

So excited and grateful to be supported by Migrate and to see the journey of this beautiful art by Jules de Balincourt made with love to help people in need….

From Migrate:

Come behind the scenes with us at @atelierji’s studio and see how our technically brilliant new print with @julesdebalincourt was created. Each print is a five colour woodcut, with additional screenprinted layers of enamel detailing. It truly is a work of art.

On 2 February @migrateart will release a beautiful new print with @julesdebalincourt to raise funds for @refuaid , @refugeecommunitykitchen, and @thelotusf, all of whom help refugees across the world.

The print is based on the original painting 'It Depends on What Direction You Look In' that Jules generously donated to Migrate Art in 2020 as part of their Scorched Earth project to raise funds for refugees. This original painting was created with paint that Migrate Art manufactured using ash from the burnt crop fields of Northern Iraq.

Please follow the link in @migrateart’s bio or email editions@migrateart.com to find out more.

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It Depends on What Direction You Look In. 2022

Five layer woodcut with screenprinted enamel detailing on Heritage Rag 100% Cotton Museum Archival Paper with deckled edges.

86.5 x 76.5 cm.

Edition of 50.

Signed and numbered by the artist.

Each print comes with a sample of ‘Scorched Earth’, the oil paint we created using ash from the burnt crop fields of Iraqi Kurdistan.

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Expertly printed by @atelierji

@pacegallery @victoriamirogallery @thaddaeusropac

Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP and Jeremy Corbyn's visit to RCK in Calais

“I visited grassroots volunteers from Calais Appeal last Friday with Jeremy Corbyn MP to see their work supporting refugees. Seeing the situation first-hand only strengthens my conviction to keep fighting for a system that centres compassion & humanity. Thank you for all you do.” Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP

Thank you for coming! Having you both visit gave the volunteers a much needed boost and thee show of solidarity gave us affirmation that our work is being supported by at least some of our representatives in government. Let's hope that through you visiting people change the way they view the situation and stand up too .Come again any time!