The kitchen-campfire as a timeless (and timely) therapeutic arena

This workshop would take us through the development of kitchen therapy - using food, cooking and eating - as a practical, natural, inclusive, relevant therapeutic approach. From its beginnings with low-income families in a community kitchen, to its shift outdoors on a community farm in Covid, and how this solution focused, primal therapy envisions our future. 

Beginnings - Attachment theory and community cooking combine 

In the same term I began teaching cooking in the community, I began to train as a psychodynamic therapist. The two classrooms combined into an attachment informed, holistic approach of kitchen therapy, suitable for everyone. When parents in a local primary school rejected my initial recipe but enjoyed the idea, I developed the concept along systemic lines – as part of the process. These families inspired further training in systemic practice. Parents from these early days are now volunteers, grandchildren now coming to sessions! The conversations between participants around the chopping board or sink elicit community resources. An empowering arena. 

Challenges – how to adapt to a crisis 

Covid 19 left https://www.chompbrighton.co.uk families isolated, in response we took our workshops outside on a community farm, cooking together earth to plate, deepening the potential of kitchen therapy to meet the needs of the moment, developing creative confidence around a community campfire. 

Resolutions - Food for the Future 

Today classes are in or outdoors providing a natural therapeutic space away from screens and towards each other. The no plug, slow cook https://www.wonderbagworld.com/uk-shop is a modern solution recalling primal firepit technology, further encouraging healthy, playful, tasty cooking whilst spending time together. Just as each ingredient in a recipe plays a crucial role, each person in the group is valued for their unique contribution.