Social Kitchen breaks barriers across the dining table

The Tatiara Social Group has brought the community together, created conversation and empowered the area’s youth through their Social Kitchen program.

Inspired by the idea of community and connection, Social Worker Mitch Anderson approached Tatiara Council with a proposal of a social kitchen where members of the Social Group could come together to prepare meals for their teachers, peers, families and wider community.

“One of the very first ideas was that we could use Council resources to borrow a kitchen and make some food and just have a regular meal together, and so we did that a couple of times,” Mitch said.

“Tracey Grosser from Tatiara District Council suggested we request funding and make it a more formal contract, so that’s how the opportunity arose to hold 12 monthly events over a year.”

Together with the Social Group, the pair established the Social Kitchen program with the support of a grant from OneFortyOne in partnership with Stand Like Stone.

Over 12 months, the Social Kitchen hosted monthly themed events including a community BBQ event, Willy Wonka chocolate evening, Christmas dinner outing, recipe testing, breakfast for dinner and Taco Time.

“It wasn’t just about cooking,” Mitch said.

“It was about the Social Group members sourcing the ingredients, putting together a menu and making sure we had everything we needed for the meal.”

“The kids that weren’t that confident with cooking were able to help set up tables and help make arrangements, there was always a role someone could take part in.”

“Then the reward was that everyone sat down and had a meal together.”

The Social Group was formed by smaller cohorts of people including migrant youth, young LGBTQIA+ people, disengaged students and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

As the Social Group leader, Mitch said he believed that together the four smaller groups combined would create a bigger community and support each other.

The Social Kitchen process involved consulting with the Social Group members on ideas and allowing them to take ownership.

“If you want kids to participate, you want them to be a part of the decision-making process,” Mitch said.

“Really, this was their project and their ideas.”

Mitch said working together on the Social Kitchen broke barriers and encouraged conversations over the dinner table. Participants have said the program has been a huge help in increasing their skills, building confidence and connecting with their community.

“It was an amazing project,” Mitch said.

“It was great to see the kids grow and develop skills and gain confidence.”