Dawn Johnston is conducting a symphony of sorts, her hands rising above her brown kitchen apron, as a gaggle of rapt students learn how to skewer pieces of chicken. It is another communal Table Project dinner, the shared wisdom of food as much a centrepiece as the long, carefully laid table where they’ll gather to eat what they’ve cooked.
The din of eager students rushing to blue bins stocked with items such as chili powder, cornstarch and pepper, gabbing as they grab ingredients, is music to Johnston’s ears.
“This project is important because cooking and eating together is a fundamental part of community-building,” says Johnston, Communications Studies Program Coordinator, Department of Communication, Media and Film. “So many students don’t live on campus or spend leisure time here. This is a real opportunity for people to come and participate and learn about food skills and each other.”
— Julie Van Rosendaal
The project draws a mix of about 30 graduate and undergraduate students for the dinners, held six times yearly at the Red & White Club. Facebook, Twitter and word of mouth attracts participants.
The idea was hatched several years ago as Johnston and colleagues from the Faculty of Arts, Faith and Spirituality Centre, SU Wellness Centre, and Centre for Community Engaged Learning discussed how they could use food to build community with students. The subject of communal cooking arose, and three years ago, the Communal Table Project dinner was born.
Students learn kitchen and knife safety, help plan the menu and consider what skills each dish will require. Zucchini Parmesan crisps, Asian-style satay skewers and a giant quinoa salad make up tonight’s menu, along with a guest speaker, Calgary-based CBC Radio contributor and food writer Julie Van Rosendaal.
“Food brings people together in cultures around the world as they share around a table,” says Van Rosendaal. “There are so few activities these days that don’t involve screens. When students cook together, it sparks conversation.”
Robyn Van Ek, BComm’15, who volunteers as a peer helper for the project, says: “I love food, cooking with other people, and the conversations that arise when sharing food.” She heard about the Community Table Project while volunteering on an urban farm in New Orleans with other UCalgary students, last year, through the Centre for Community-Engaged Learning.
“At the dinner table is where you can connect to new people as well as people who are close to you,” Van Rosendaal adds.
The three-year pilot project is coming to an end this month. Attempts are ongoing
to continue the project. U