The inaugural Sound and Supper Club ‘Plates for Palestine’ took place last week at Whalley Range’s Carlton Club.
The organisers took time out of their 9-5 jobs and set out the aim of bringing people together over food, spoken word and music in support of aid for Palestinians in Gaza.
The Supper Club raised just under £1,200 in its first event, with donated proceeds going to directly to Medical Aid for Palestine.
On rare sunny afternoon in South Manchester, ticket holders were invited to the Carlton Club’s leafy beer-garden for an all vegan seasonal three-course meal, complimented by sweet chai as a palette cleanser.
Meals included spicy roasted cannellini beans, cold kimchi noodles and a sweet potato and lentils stew, after a starter of pickled vegetables and a homemade hummus with romesco.
After the sit-down meal ticket holders were invited inside to watch local bands, as well as a spoken-word performance.
The event was attended by a wide range of people from life-long Whalley Range residents to younger residents new to the area, demonstrating the generation spanning desire for peace and an end to conflicts across the world.
The meal consisted of foods sourced from local businesses in Manchester, such as Organic North and Amato Foods, some of which kindly donated produce.
Amaar, one of the organisers of the event, said: “The idea came about after feeling slightly helpless in face of what is happening in Gaza. As a group, we can do so much more, and it can have a real impact too.
“We decided to do what we know we can do – cook good food, create a welcoming atmosphere and bring together artists, performers and musicians to raise money and practise community solidarity for a vital cause at the centre of our hearts.
“We really wanted to create a wholesome atmosphere, and demonstrate that when people come together we really can make a difference.”
Oliver, the head chef, said: “Sitting down and having a meal with friends and family is a wonderful way of making others feel appreciated. We wanted to create a space where we could fundraise, but do so in a way that demonstrates unity, and the power of community.
“Deciding on the food offer was a challenge, navigating dietary requirements and trying to gauge for the first time how much food there should be.
“We knew there would be unexpected issues on the day, but after a lot of planning and a big shift from our volunteers we managed it really well.
“As organisers, we have learned a lot from this first event and it should give us the confidence to get out of our comfort zones again next time we do it.”
Speaking to the venue on the phone, they said they had expected the event to be a success.
They said: “The Supper Club is perfect for our community in Whalley Range, the Carlton Club and the Sound and Supper Club share the same values.
“The club is a place for extended family and local organisers play a massive part in putting on events for the South Manchester community, so the decision to host the Sound and Supper Club was an easy one to make.”
When asked whether there would be another supper club lined up, Amaar said: “of course, that was such a success and we raised such good money that it would be silly not to.”
The charity MAP provides immediate medical aid, while also developing local capacity and skills to ensure the long-term development of the Palestinian healthcare system.
