One of London’s best-loved social enterprises is back. This year’s Conflict Café, hosted at House of Vans in Waterloo, features Damascus-inspired food by chef Ayam Zaman, with proceeds going to International Alert to support the peace effort in Syria. Squeeze onto one of the long communal tables and prepare for a feast filled with baba ghanouj, kibbeh, Demascan aubergine casserole and the traditional Syrian pasta dish hara isbah, made with tamarind and lentils.
You’ve had goat’s cheese more times than you can count; you might have even picked up a pint of goat’s milk this one time in France when your B in GCSE french failed you – but have you ever tried kid tartare or goat roly poly? No? Well you’re in luck, because now you can. This month, Goatober, a nationwide event celebrating this much underused meat organised by James Whetlor of Cabrito, is set to return for a second year in a row. To mark its launch, six competing chefs will take over the kitchens of the Montcalm Royal London House Hotel to host a boozy, goat meat-inspired dinner and charity auction in aid of Action Against Hunger.
If the idea of eating insects puts you off, you’d better get used to it, as you won’t find a more sustainable animal product anywhere else. Don’t believe us? Head to Highbury’s Thai-inspired restaurant Farang in September, where chef Seb Holmes will be cooking up a five-course menu of Thai-style insect dishes in association with Eat Grub and Fourpure Brewing Co. By the end of the night – after a couple of chocolate and cricket no-espresso martinis – you’ll be a convert, we promise.
Borough Market is throwing open its doors to 11 female chefs next month for a special cause. The Severn Sisters – who count Zoe Adjonyoh, Rosie Birkett and Olia Hercules among their ranks, to name a few – will provide a seasonal, multicultural offering to 150 people on the night. All proceeds go to Action Against Hunger, with the government throwing their weight behind things by also doubling your ticket donation to help support the Healthy Mums Healthy Kids appeal in Senegal. Good food does good things, so what are you waiting for? Book your ticket now.
