You often think of the kitchen as an unremarkable stop along the journey towards a delicious meal. However, it in fact functions as a space for family engagement and growth.
Lessons are passed on between generations of cooks everywhere. Top tips and techniques are the unspoken ingredients between the lines of recipes from cultures across the world.
Every Saturday Maribel, the long-time leader of Baytree’s cookery classes, holds court in our Brixton kitchen, teaching both mothers and daughters the ins and outs of everything from savoury dinner classics to sweet delights.
When describing the value of the mother/daughter aspect of the classes, she says:
“They learn. The mothers learn from the daughters and the daughters can learn from the mothers and then at home they can help each other.”
The jovial conversation and laughter emanating from the kitchen throughout the building proves that cooking can be just as fun as eating. The classes are a noisy and stimulating affair, enabling the mothers and daughters to bond working as a team, socialise and just have fun.
And all the Saturday volunteers happily play guinea pig to testing the treats served up by Maribel, her co-cook Justine and their team of chefettes.
By Kath and Komaya
