The Haringey Community Food Network (HCFN) marked the end of its first year running Recipes of Love with a gathering at Broadwater Farm.
The project brings residents together to share treasured dishes and the stories behind them.
What began as a simple invitation—to bring a meaningful recipe and share its story—has blossomed into a series of inclusive, reflective events held across the borough.
Venues including the Goan Community Centre, Gospel Centre, Calvary Church, Antwerp Arms, and Kurdish Advice Centre have all hosted sessions, each becoming a space for connection and conversation.
Moussa Amine Sylla, from the Haringey Community Food Network, said: “This has been an extraordinary first year for Recipes of Love—a journey that began with a simple idea and has grown into a powerful expression of care, culture, and community across Haringey.
“As the final session of the year came to a close at Broadwater Farm, it felt less like an ending and more like a moment of arrival: a clear signal that this work matters and is ready to grow.”
At the heart of each session is the belief that food has power.
Simple questions—such as ‘What food memory stays with you?’—spark deeper discussions about identity, belonging, and care.
What has emerged is far more than a series of food events.
Attendees have spoken about migration, faith, loss, childhood memories, and hope—often for the first time with people they have just met.
The project has also inspired a “living archive” of Haringey’s cultural wealth, told through the foods people love and the meaning they hold.
The Broadwater Farm session, held in collaboration with Wheely Tots and the Moselle Community Project, brought together four chefs—Mina, Nina, Angie, and Ganna—reflecting Algerian, Moroccan, Nigerian, and Ukrainian heritages.
They offered not only their food but their personal histories and experiences.
The day began with a visit to Harmony Gardens, where participants learned about food growing, land stewardship, and well-being.
The cooking that followed transformed the Moselle kitchen into a hub of warmth and activity.
Around 70 people gathered to eat, listen, and connect.
Councillor Michelle Simmons, deputy mayor of Haringey, attended the event and spoke about food culture, food poverty, and the importance of community-led initiatives.
Certificates were presented to the chefs and trained participants.
The HCFN sees Recipes of Love as more than a collection of events.
Moussa said: “For HCFN, Recipes of Love is not about one-off events.
“It is about building a culture of participation rooted in trust, relationships, and shared experience.”
The project has recently secured a £4,950 grant from Haringey Giving, setting the stage for further growth, wider community reach, and plans for a community cookbook.
HCFN hopes to expand the programme, support more cooks, and deepen its partnerships across Haringey and beyond.
As its first year concludes, the group said the programme feels like “the end of the beginning.”
With new funding, growing support, and a network of dedicated partners and residents, Recipes of Love aims to continue building connection, understanding, and community—one meal at a time.
