Migrateful is a charity that runs cookery classes led by migrant chefs struggling to integrate and access employment in the UK due to legal and linguistic barriers. The cookery classes provide ideal conditions not just for learning English and building confidence, but also for promoting contact and cultural exchange with the wider community.
Migrateful was founded in July 2017 by Jess Thompson after many years of experience working with refugees in Ceuta, Morocco and Dunkirk. Originally established in London, Migrateful has since expanded to Kent and Bristol.
Migrateful trains refugee and migrant chefs through weekly online workshops. The sessions begin with confidence-building exercises. Trainee chefs then take turns teaching the rest of the group how to cook their traditional cuisine. When our chefs feel ready, they deliver cookery classes to paying customers, supported by Migrateful.
From teaching a class, our chefs feel empowered through skill sharing, making friends, and practicing their English. We currently have chefs from over 25 countries, including Syria, Iran, Pakistan, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Ecuador, Albania, Gambia, and Cuba – all trained to teach their unique international cuisines in fun, easy and engaging
cookery classes.
Aside from open classes, Migrateful also offers team-building cookery classes and demonstrations to London-based companies. Some of our previous clients include Google, Amazon and Jamie Oliver. A Migrateful cookery class will achieve all the usual objectives of team building activities: it requires skills such as communication, collaboration, delegation, trust and sharing.
Feedback from previous participants and corporate clients:
“It is an absolutely fantastic way to spend time with friends, meet new people, and learn about a culture and cooking in a cosy, well-equipped, fun and safe setting.”
“…an enriching way to spend an evening. Cooking and eating with new people, talking and learning about other lives, cuisines and cultures.”
“It’s a great chance to meet new people from the office while doing something different, and doing something for charity!”
“Makes people happier, brightens up your day, introduces you to new people inside and outside the company.”
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