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Paul Bloomfield – bringing a convivial spirit to OCC events

In large part due to the contribution of OCC Patron Paul Bloomfield, events from the Oxford Cultural Collective are as memorable for their convivial spirit as they are for their content and focus.

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Nature Pushing Back

With her husband David, OCC Patron Lynne Levin owns a vineyard in the Loire region of France.  After a disastrous year of low grape harvests, resulting from unprecedented weather conditions, she argues it is time for the widespread adoption of organic principles, and for vineyard owners to operate in harmony with nature. 

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Wine, food and the natural rhythms of each vintage

Lynne Levin shares her wine making philosophy and considers what contributes to the distinctive character of each vintage.

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Partnerships with purpose: seeking brands that take a stand

We are seeking new project partners – particularly businesses who stand for something meaningful and who want to be part of conversations about issues of the day, from social inclusion and cultural diversity to nurturing talent and reshaping education. 

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Nourishing Genius: Food and Wine in the Time of Michelangelo

Join Fred Plotkin, Patron of the Oxford Cultural Collective and specialist in Italian gastronomy, opera, and history, for a virtual talk and tasting.

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From intention to action: progress on gender and race equality in hospitality

Tea Colaianni, Founder of WiHTL, believes the recent covid pandemic should act as a wake-up call to all in the hospitality sector.  As the crisis continues to shine a light on the devastating consequences of social exclusion, her hope is that it will stimulate more widespread commitment to inclusive workplace practices.

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Black Book: what is it and why do we need it?

Zoe Adjonyoh, chef, writer, activist and creator of Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen, shares her motives for founding Black Book, a platform for driving meaningful change in the diversity of the global food industry. 

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Thinking things through

Jean Roberts, career psychologist and OCC Patron, reflects on what the last few months have taught us about ourselves and how building our resilience can help us to face the future with more confidence.

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Jessica B. Harris on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the Black community

In an article published in the Huffington Post on 20th June 2020, OCC Patron Jessica B. Harris shares her thoughts on gratitude, performance activisim and why the coronavirus pandemic has been so fatal for the Black community.

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Jeremy Lee’s Kitchen Sketches

During lockdown Chef Proprietor of Quo Vadis and OCC Patron Jeremy Lee has rediscovered his love of drawing.

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Hospitality Management Education: is it fit for purpose in a changing and uncertain world?

Don Sloan questions if the current international crisis should prompt a fundamental review of hospitality management education offered by UK universities. Is it fit for purpose in a rapidly changing and uncertain world?

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Farewell Brookes Restaurant

Following its recent closure, Don Sloan reflects on the pivotal role played by Brookes Restaurant in shaping an engaged, inclusive community of learning.

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Winners announced of the Jane Grigson Trust Award 2020

Kirsty Scobie and Fenella Renwick win the Jane Grigson Trust Award 2020, for ‘The Seafood Shack’

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Fozia Ismail: Food as Resistance

Fozia Ismail explores connections between food, race, identity and power and considers the lived experience of the African Diaspora in modern Britain.

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Geraldene Holt remembers M.F.K. Fisher

Geraldene Holt reflects on time spent with the celebrated Amercian food writer, M.F.K. Fisher.

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George Heriot’s School puts pleasure at the heart of food education

An Edinburgh school has taken up the challenge of developing pupils’ cookery skills and food knowledge with a hands-on course that puts pleasure at the heart of learning.

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Fuchsia Dunlop, Andrew Wong, Mukta Das and Jeremy Chan – Chinese Cuisine: does cultural authenticity matter

Fuchsia Dunlop, Andrew Wong, Mukta Das and Jeremy Chan joined Donald Sloan at Asia House on 4th July 2019 to explore the role of cultural authenticity in defining Chinese cuisine.

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Joanna Blythman on ‘The Power of Enjoyment in the Face of Industrialised Food’

Read the full transcript of this year’s Jane Grigson Trust Lecture, delivered by distinguished investigative journalist Joanna Blythman.

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Romy Gill MBE prepares dinner at launch of ‘Migrations: all our voices’

Romy Gill MBE, rising star of the British restaurant sector, shares her personal story and reveals why she is backing ‘Migrations: all our voices’, the Oxford Cultural Collective’s new events series.

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From Darkness to light: The road from Damascus

Don Sloan recently met with Mataz Alzari, a Syrian chef who escaped Damascus to make a new life in Romania. Mataz will be preparing dinner for guests at the forthcoming Ratiu Dialogues on Democracy, an international conference in Transylvania supported by the Oxford Cultural Collective.

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Jane Grigson – by Geraldene Holt

To coincide with the announcement of the winner of the 2019 Jane Grigson Award, Geraldene Holt explores Jane’s contribution to British culinary and literary culture.

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Chinese Food Philosophy: A recipe for life

A sell-out audience gathered at Asia House on 16th January 2019 for the latest event in the Lee Kum Kee Culinary Culture Series from the Oxford Cultural Collective. Donald Sloan was joined by acclaimed writer and columnist Bee Wilson, Emmy-nominated TV chef and cookery book writer Ching-He Huang, and academic and author Dr Vivienne Lee, to explore Chinese Food Philosophy: A Recipe for Life.

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Mirabelle Dominé-Walley: What winning the Yan-Kit So Award meant for me.

The deadline for the next Yan-Kit So Award for food writers on Asia is 30th April 2019. Here, Mirabelle Dominé-Walley reflects on winning the award in 2015.

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Dining out in the Big Easy

Don Sloan reflects on recent trips to New Orleans, including to contribute to ‘Pulp Facts’, a seminar celebrating citrus.

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Catherine Brown on the revival of crofting in Scotland’s Highlands and Islands

The Oxford Cultural Collective has a strong connection with the Jane Grigson Trust, an educational charity established in 1991 in memory of Jane Grigson. Here, we publish an updated transcript of Catherine Brown’s Jane Grigson Lecture.

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Samar Khatiwala reports on first research trip to Gujarat

The winner of the 2017 Yan-Kit So Award, hosted by the Oxford Cultural Collective, reports on his first research trip to the region of Gujarat in the west of India.

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Bee Wilson pays tribute to BBC Radio 4 Food Programme

Read the transcript of Bee Wilson’s speech at this year’s annual Oxford Cultural Collective Dinner, in which she paid tribute to the BBC Radio 4 Food Programme.

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London’s Chinatown needs more creative solutions to guarantee its future

  Reflections on the annual Ken Hom Lecture, 8th February 2018 at Asia Hose, London Part of the Lee Kum Kee Culinary Culture Series in partnership with Asia House and the Oxford School of Hospitality Management This year’s Ken Hom Lecture brought together distinguished contributors to explore the future of Chinatowns, at a time when […]

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Yan-Kit’s Classic Chinese Cookbook – reflections from Fuchsia Dunlop

Through a dedicated award in her name, The Oxford Cultural Collective honours the legacy of Yan-Kit So. Here, food writer Fuchsia Dunlop recalls her friendship with Yan-Kit So. Includes five brilliant recipes.

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Why Thailand?

Why Thailand? Don Sloan reflects on why Thailand is the destination for one of The Oxford Cultural Collective’s first major projects.

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The launch of the Oxford Cultural Collective

Donald Sloan outlines the founding principles and aims of The Oxford Cultural Collective.

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Looking Back at ‘My Soul Looks Back’ – Jessica B. Harris

Jessica B. Harris, award-winning food historian and Patron of the Oxford Cultural Collective, recently published her evocative memoir, ‘My Soul Looks Back’. Here she considers her move from writing cookbooks to writing narrative. 

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A Chinese Feast – In Transylvania

Don Sloan reports on his most recent visit to Transylvania – including a Chinese feast and an encounter with royalty.

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A teacher at heart

Chef Ken Hom reflects on his commitment to the educational mission of the Oxford Cultural Collective.

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Food and Community

Food and wine writer Marc Millon considers the role of food and drink in strengthening community relations.

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Oxford Eats: How food cultures evolve

Food writer Geraldene Holt considers the ongoing evolution of local food cultures.

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