Imaginary Worlds

Dinner with Ancestors. Xavier Daniels. 2019.

From Genesis to Revelation, the biblical narrative is peppered with stories of food and feasts.

In Imaginary Worlds: Honoring Racialised Black British Chefs and Culinary Traditions, Past and Present, a multimedia exhibit offers a cultural retelling of Luke 14:15-24 and a contemplative theological journey exploring resistance, tradition, ingenuity, rehumanization and celebration, while paying homage to racialised Black British chefs who’ve contributed to—and reshaped—England’s culinary landscape.

Throughout October, invited chefs will host intimate dinners—at restaurants, museums and the spaces of partner organizations throughout London—that imagine and reimagine the culinary techniques and traditions that enslaved persons of African descent introduced to the English régime.

Imaginary Worlds will also feature Love from the Kitchen, a companion exhibit boasting a collection of paintings, photographs and video installations documenting the stories of racialised Black British clergy and church members who share their culinary memories plus special recipes passed down from generation to generation.

Guests attending the opening night reception will receive a limited-edition, complimentary cookbook filled with narratives and family recipes from 100 British chefs of African descent.

Join us in community as we honor—with biblical flavor—the culinary contributions and heritages of racialised Black chefs influencing British cuisine.

With generous support from The Church of England, Imaginary Worlds is presented by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland’s Justice and Inclusion division in collaboration with Roots for Churches, the Leeds Church Institute, St. Anne’s Gospel Choir, Chef Adejoké Bakare, Bibles and Brunch, and Raddish Kids.