South London Gallery: Art Assassins

We ran a workshop at South London Gallery, centred around cooking, conversation, and connection, bringing people together through the shared experience of making food. As part of the session, we cooked a simple one pot rice dish alongside a fruit compote, which quickly became a highlight of the day.

Sharing a meal created a relaxed and welcoming space for conversation. While cooking and eating together, we spoke with young people about their bodies’ relationships with food and what food means to them personally, socially, and culturally.

Our discussions explored ideas around the “able body” and how assumptions about ability shape expectations around eating. We talked about what bodies are perceived to need, what they can and cannot eat, and how notions of “good” and “bad” food are constructed. These conversations opened up thoughtful reflections on access, choice, and care.

One unexpected takeaway from the session was just how controversial cows’ milk can be, prompting wider discussion about health, ethics, and difference. The workshop highlighted how everyday practices like cooking and eating can create space for meaningful dialogue around bodies, lived experience, and inclusion.