Community Meals: Feeding South Belfast One Dish at a Time

Navigating the uncertainties of 2021, Table rose to the challenge, delivering heartwarming community meals to households across Belfast. Journey through a year marked by culinary compassion, resilience, and community spirit.

The past year has brought with it a fair share of challenges, but at Table, it also brought an opportunity to make a difference. Our kitchen (then when more space was needed, the Belvoir Parish Church kitchen) became a haven of hope and sustenance. While our culinary endeavours spread across various spectrums from catering to weddings to afternoon tea deliveries, our focus remained on one pivotal project: Community Meals.

Each Wednesday, the symphony of pots and pans signalled the preparation of meals that, for many, were more than just a dish; they were a beacon of community spirit. From serving 21 portions of Irish Stew and Chicken Casserole in the early days to ramping up to an astounding 183 meals by the winter’s end, the journey was nothing short of spectacular. Collaborating with incredible partners like Belvoir Parish Church and SOS Bus NI, our combined efforts ensured that these meals reached 50+ households, offering warmth and nutrition.

To guarantee the utmost safety during these unpredictable times, I spearheaded all cooking sessions alone, taking every precaution with COVID. Our meticulousness extended to packaging, where the diligent Joanne spent an hour sealing containers when our numbers touched 183. The menu varied, with standouts like Chicken with Mash, Gravy, and Veg, catering to diverse palates with vegetarian options, ensuring inclusivity in our offerings.

As seasons shifted and autumn cast its golden hue over Belfast, our dishes evolved too. The onset of chill signalled the ideal time for heartwarming soups and stews, in tune with the #harvesttime and #changingseasons. The community’s feedback was an endless stream of gratitude, urging us to continue. Our meals for ‘Belvoir Parish Lunch Bunch’ for the elderly during Christmas, and the delightful afternoon tea deliveries, emerged as surprising crowd-pleasers.

Our commitment went beyond just the food. The tangible difference was seen in our actions – the community meals initiative, the growth of Afternoon Tea deliveries, our foray into Film Crew catering during the lockdown and the excitement surrounding the launch of our Charcoal BBQ menu. The year has been filled with varied events, catering to weddings, birthdays, corporate events, and more, in locations as varied as barns, castles, Airbnbs, and even fields.

Looking back, since March 2020, was a melange of experiences – the challenges, pivots, and the sheer joy of serving our community. The dedication of every volunteer from Belvoir Parish Church and SOS Bus NI, the tireless packaging sessions, and the heartwarming deliveries – each aspect underscores our mission of building a stronger, united community.

To our customers, partners, friends, and family who have been pillars of strength, encouragement, and unwavering support, we send our deepest gratitude. Here’s raising a toast to new adventures, connections and the magical moments that Summer 2022 will undoubtedly bring.