Launching a Zero Waste Community Cookbook at the National Eisteddfod in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Nina is one of our Egin Peer Mentors. Here, she shares some of the work that her organisation, Bryncynon Strategy, has been doing. If you’re interested in receiving mentoring from Nina (or from any of our other mentors) then please get in touch!
Bryncynon Strategy were thrilled to receive funding from the SPF Higher Level grant to develop a food security consortium programme, which included two food pantries, Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB and the Eisteddfod. The partners were really keen to showcase a community cookbook, which is now ready to be shared with the world!!
This isn’t just any cookbook – it’s a celebration of zero waste cooking, using items from our food pantry, leftover food and what grows in the garden. Our community really got on board with it and provided recipes, many of which had been handed down through generations. These recipes were tried and tested also in our weekly cookery sessions and participants were offered a bag of ingredients to try the recipes at home. The beetroot burgers were very popular!!
As this was very much a Cynon Valley project, we called our bilingual cookbook “The Cynon Valley – a Culinary Community” (Cwm Cynon – Cymuned sy’n Coginio”). Each recipe is carefully crafted to reduce food waste and promote sustainable living. It is truly a community one because rather than describe the recipes in detail, Yvonne (who project managed the cookbook) described the people who contributed.
The Eisteddfod, with its deep roots in the Welsh language, tradition and community was the perfect place to unveil the cookbook. It’s a festival which brings people together to celebrate culture, creativity and collaboration – all values that are at the heart of our work within our community. It was launched on Maes D, with Katie Hall from Chroma (you may know this Welsh band) and singer/songwriter Cat Southall from Aberdare, who made up a wonderful little song about the people and recipes. Volunteers demonstrated how to make the lovely beetroot burgers, and these were handed out to the audience.
The cookbook, which is part of Bryncynon Strategy’s wider climate change and food security initiatives, shows how small changes in our kitchens can lead to big changes for our planet, while enjoying traditional home cooked and healthy meals.
You can download a free digital copy of Cwm Cynon – Cymuned sy’n Coginio on our website https://www.bryncynonstrategy.co.uk/a-culinary-community
Happy reading and eating!!!
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