Moville Community College will play host to a unique and exciting community event when the award-winning Sligo Global Kitchen travels to the town to provide an open buffet feast from 3pm to 5pm.
Featuring delicacies from around the world, the lively programme of entertainment will provide music from Africa and Inishowen.
Sligo Global Kitchen – which won a prestigious Irish Food Writers Guild award in 2018 for its communal monthly meals at The Model art gallery in Sligo town – is an initiative that brings together people who are living in Globe House direct provision centre to prepare and serve dishes from their own cultures and traditions to share with the whole community.
Head Chef Mabel Chah expressed her delight at the partnership with Moville Community College, the Department of Justice, Fáilte Inishowen and Inishowen Together that has come together to “bring the feast to the neighbours” in Moville.
“This will be a day of food, fun, laughter and connections,” said Mabel. “We are really excited to be presenting an adventurous and colourful menu from Guatemala, Syria and France; and from Western, Northern and Southern Africa. Everyone is welcome and it promises to be a great occasion.”
Among those cooking on the day will be Carndonagh’s finest Syrian chefs, Feras and Asmaa. Mabel herself will be sharing typical Cameroonian cuisine – and joining local Inishowen musicians Ruth McCartney and Siobhan Sheils in a world music performance that promises to be a magical addition to the day.
Musician and organiser on the day with Inishowen Together, Siobhan Shiels said: “I am overjoyed at the prospect of the event and sharing in some delicious food, while meeting with people from around the world all under one roof.”
She added: “The preparations are well under way. Moville Community College has been amazing especially Colleen Cooney, the home economics teacher in the school. They have thought of everything – and it’s amazing to see the students stepping up as volunteers to help out with running the event. I’m really looking forward to performing songs from around the world with Mabel and Ruth McCartney, too.”
Tracy Cullen of Fáilte Inishowen, and Independent candidate in the local council election in North Inishowen, spoke of her excitement about the event: “I’m so glad to be part of this celebration of food and community here in Moville – it will be all about breaking down barriers and learning from the Sligo direct provision residents how we can be good neighbours to the people who will be arriving to live in Caiseal Mara in the coming months.
“I’m really looking forward to volunteering on the day – and to tasting new and delicious dishes. This will be a lovely event for families to enjoy on a Sunday afternoon.”
Inishowen Together volunteer and Independent candidate for South Inishowen, Sinéad Stewart said: “This is a great initiative to be part of.
“Inishowen is a welcoming place and we need to really build that spirit in the wake of last year’s unrepresentative acts of fear and violence.
“Sunday will be an opportunity for people to come together and experience that we’re all just people – and that people living in direct provision have a lot to offer our society and community, including some absolutely amazing food and beautiful music on this occasion!”
Donations are accepted at the event in Moville Community College tomorrow afternoon.
Everyone is welcome to join the feast.
