With summer drawing nearer, the promise of longer days, brighter sunshine and warmer weather are almost within touching distance – and those days are all the more memorable when your community hub is at the heart of them.
If you’re starting to plan summer events for your church or community centre, there are so many ways you can put your kitchen to use to bring people together.
Here are just some of our favourite ideas to put your kitchen at the heart of the summer festivities:
Sports days
There’s nothing that brings out the community spirit quite like some healthy competition.
So, if you are looking to host a sports day this summer, consider how your kitchen can play a part. You can prepare a whole host of buffet-style snacks to help athletes re-energise between activities, or even produce a picnic for after the event, allowing everyone to come together and share a meal in the sunshine.
If you need to quench your thirst with something as satisfying to make as it is fresh, why not try out a homemade lemonade recipe? Nothing says summer quite like freshly squeezed fruit juices.
TIP: Sports days are a big hit for children and getting them involved in the cooking is great way to help them burn off what’s left of their energy. If you do invite them to cook, here’s how you ensure your kitchen space stays child-friendly
Summer fêtes
Thinking of hosting a summer fête at your community centre this summer? While the activities, music and games are all huge attractions for such an event, you can keep the party going longer by offering some delectable bites.
Cooking up a variety of sweet treats, small nibbles and summer classics is a great way to take your summer fête to the next level – and if you have a charity cause in mind, they are a great way to help to raise money: think fresh cakes that can be won in the raffle, bake sales, and more.
Our favourite recipe: Looking for a twist on the tried-and-tested strawberries-and-cream formula? This seasonal strawberry cupcake recipe is sure to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth.
Cooking classes
Whether it’s a healthy eating masterclass, sushi-making tutorial, or pasta-making course – cooking classes are always a big hit, whatever the time of year – and they are hands-down one of the best ways to bring people together for an evening of food, fun and flavour.
However, if you’re looking for something distinctly summery, why not inject some Mediterranean influences for a class that whisks you away somewhere a little more exotic?
Use a cooking class to teach (and learn!) all about the latest hits in Mediterranean cuisine like a breakfast Shakshuka or moreish arancini, and give visitors confidence to cook something as healthy and fresh as it is delicious.
TIP: With any type of cooking class, you can expect plenty of sign-ups – and a fair amount of mess! A semi-commercial kitchen designed by Steelplan can help to equip your community centre kitchen with easy-to-clean, hygienic, and durable worktops that can withstand not one, not two, but countless cooking classes to engage your community.
Bake sales
You already know that the best way to bring a community together is to get everyone involved – and who doesn’t love a bake sale?
The goal? Simply whip up a variety of summer-inspired goods, and invite local residents to join in the fun by bringing in their own baked treats.
You can even use the proceeds to either raise money for the community centre or a chosen charity – allowing you to do what you do best: give back to the community.
TIP: Whether baking as a team or baking-off, too many cooks can be a minefield for cross-contamination. Talk to a semi-commercial kitchen expert like Steelplan to find out how you can design a kitchen triangle that reduces the risk of spreading mess and germs.
Make your kitchen the heart of your community centre this summer
From children to the elderly – your community centre is a place for people of all ages and backgrounds to socialise, make new friends, and belong, and events like the above do wonders for your community spirit.
Remember, if your hub is at the heart of your community, your kitchen as what makes it beat.
If you think that it needs transforming to help play host to all kinds of fun events all year round, get in touch with our team to find out how we can help you unlock your kitchen’s full potential and make it the reason your community grows: [email protected]
