London's leading workplaces prioritise diversity, embedding inclusivity into every aspect of their culture—from HR initiatives to canteen menus.
Every October at Fooditude, our office clients trust our team to create meaningful engagement within their office spaces for Black History Month.
Over the years, we've learned a thing or two about creating a sense of celebration in the canteen. Read on for five proven ideas to inspire your Black History Month celebrations. You should grab a notepad for this one!
Psst. Before we get started: these ideas are not exclusive to Black History Month. Diversity matters every day. We should all aim to make some noise this October, but we also encourage you to try foodie ways of supporting awareness all year round.
There's a special feeling that comes with having outside food and drink companies in the office. It's a unique touch that adds a spark to a day in the office. Nothing brings the office to life better than bringing in passionate, food-loving vendors to serve what they love to create.
We've enjoyed connecting our clients to black-owned London businesses, including Dark Sugars and Puff Puff Ministry, to celebrate Black History Month. To start your research, here's a super-useful map of black-owned businesses in London created by Trippin.
If you've already got a caterer, delegate! Office caterers usually have an extensive network of food and drink producers, so it's worth asking them to connect you with one of their contacts.
Serve African-diaspora cuisine at your canteen
The right menu at the office canteen can create a buzzing atmosphere of conversation, laughter, and activity. Breaking bread together is a tried-and-tested way of bringing people together.
In the office context, it provides a moment to connect, a break from back-to-back meetings and deadlines. With good catering, mealtimes become a powerful way for companies to honour important events like Black History Month. The right menu will inevitably stir up conversations at the dinner table and raise awareness of black cultures in world cuisine.
Delivered caterers (like us!) can provide your team with a one-off meal if you still need a go-to caterer. Some cuisine categories you might want to consider serving include:
- Caribbean Jamaican
- Afro-American Soul Food
- Afro-Latin
- West African
Our BYO (build-your-own) Ethiopian buffet lunch
A evening out on the town
For more socialite close-knit teams, consider organising an after-work gathering at one of London's many superb hospitality venues with connections to black culture and enterprise. A more informal setting is the perfect chance for colleagues to unwind and kick back.
We did a little digging, and here are a few places we'd like to recommend within London's buzzing food and drink scene:
Red Rooster Shoreditch, Southern American cuisine with an urban, vintage twist
805 Restaurants, Known as the heartbeat of London’s Nigerian dining for two decades
Trailer Happiness, Award-winning Portobello Road cocktail bar, famous for its Tiki-inspired cocktails
Enish, One of the most favoured Nigerian restaurants in the world
Cafe Caribbean, A family-owned restaurant in Old Spitalfields Market serving authentic Caribbean dishes
Yours London, A modern bar of innovative cocktails and Mediterranean inspired food
Limin Southbank, A Caribbean food and drinks bar in Southbank with tropical beach settings
MBER, Known for being London’s best Pan-Asian restaurant and cocktail bar
Lighter bites and drinks
If you're looking for something lighter than a full meal to complement your Black History Month activities, there's a wide range of event catering options available.
Platters, drinks, and canapés are a great way to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for presentations, parties and team activities. Many caterers with strong menu development teams can craft bespoke food and drink offerings tailored to Black History Month events.
Here are a few top tips from our chefs:
Caribbean Codfish Fritters, Patties, Jerk Chicken Lollipop for Canapés
Rum and Fruit Punch for Drinks
Cook ‘n’ Learn Masterclasses
Looking for a hands-on way to engage your team this Black History Month? Try a fun cooking masterclass where employees can learn to make African-Caribbean inspired dishes and drinks.
These workshops offer a creative way to celebrate your team’s diverse backgrounds while bonding over the joy of cooking.
Learning new skills and exploring unique traditions together creates excitement and connection. Fooditude can arrange bespoke events tailored to your needs, bringing a slice of fun to your workplace. Here’s some ideas of workshops to request from your chosen caterer:
- Spice & Flavour Exploration
A tasting workshop around African & Caribbean spices and ingredients from scotch bonnet pepper to curry powder. Employees can enjoy sampling and learning how to incorporate into their cooking
- Cocktail Tasting Workshop
A masterclass focusing on traditional beverages originating across the African Diaspora. Participants can create their own drink blends and learn about the drinks’ cultural significance. A few examples could be the all-time classic Goombay Smash or even the great Grand Cayman Mudslide.
- DIY Wrap Station
Participants can build their own wraps, experimenting with a variety of flavour combinations using ingredients inspired by West African cuisine, such as jollof rice, spicy meats, and fried plantains.
It’s a Wrap
Black History Month is an excellent opportunity to enhance diversity within your company culture.
In London, companies have access to a wealth of caterers, vendors and suppliers who can help you commemorate the month with the unifying power of shared food.
We hope our suggestions spark some good ideas for celebrating Black History Month in your office. We know that every workplace is different, so be creative in adapting our tips to your company's unique needs.
If you'd like to partner to bring a Black History Month event to life in your workplace, the Fooditude Team is here for you. We can tailor our catering to your needs and help organise everything.
Interested? Speak to one of our catering experts.
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