Kutayib

4.2. Culinary exchange and getting to know each other

Session Objectives

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

  • Showing how food connects people (across cultures).

  • Learning about the connection of economics, work and household.

Duration

02h 30min

Group size

Set by facilitator

Materials needed

Beverages, bowl or box, cutlery, dishes, flipcharts, food, glasses, ingredients, kitchen, paper, plates, recipe cards, workspace

Session Description 

This session uses food as a way to bring people together and encourage connection. Participants share personal stories, exchange cultural experiences, and take part in collaborative cooking and discussions. The activity fosters openness, curiosity, and mutual understanding, highlighting how shared meals can strengthen relationships and build a sense of community.

Duration: 20-30min

Group size: Think– pair – share

Materials needed: Bowl or box, paper, pens

  • Write down your favourite dish or meal that carries a special emotional meaning for you.

  • Fold the note and place it into a bowl

  • One by one, participants draw a note and guess who wrote it, the author reveals him- or herself and explains their choice

    Open questions:

    • What role does food play in shaping our identity?

    • Can food connect people across cultures? If so, how?

    Objectives: Connecting people across cultures and getting to know one aspect of your friend or colleague

    *Developed by students of the Zurich University of Teacher Education: Michelle Knöpfli, Luca Huder, Nicole Wetli, Laura Kockelkorn, Julie Haller, Laura Bächer

Duration: 45-60min

Group size: Individual or small groups

Materials needed: Cutlery, flipcharts, food, plates

  • Everybody brings a small dish and briefly introduces it and explains the personal connection to it

  • Participants are divided into mixed groups that rotate between three stations. Each station has a flipchart with a discussion question*. While enjoying the food, participants engage in discussion and note down key ideas

*Discussion questions, one per flipchart:

  • How can shared meals foster community?

  • What do you do to promote social bonding?

  • In what ways can cooking and sharing food support personal development?

Objectives:

  • Experiencing social bonding through food.

  • Learning how cooking and sharing food can support personal development.

Duration: 40min

Group size: Group

Materials needed: Flipchart, pens

  • Each group brainstorms and lists youth/community needs.

  • Then they select the top 5 needs.

  • Write 5 selected needs clearly on a flipchart.

  • The facilitator / trainer supports the groups.

Objectives: Assess the club’s most pressing needs.

Duration: 40min

Group size: All together

Materials needed: Beverages, cutlery, dishes, food, glasses

  • Enjoying the food together

  • Discuss the following questions:

    • What was new or surprising for you in this activity?

    • What role can cooking and eating together play in youth work?

    • What do the ingredients or the dish itself say about you, your culture or your lifestyle? Compare and share between the participants.

Objectives: 

  • Enjoying good food together

  • A common activity