The presence of food sets the table for conversation and curiosity — two essential ingredients for building community among people who have different backgrounds and identities. Under the right conditions, food can be a positive entry point for activities and initiatives that decrease prejudice between different groups. Welcoming America created this cookbook as a tool for meaningful connection across differences. We paired recipes from diverse cultures with activities that connect people around a shared table and get them working together on a common goal.
If you’re looking to build community and reduce prejudice in your own locality, we suggest two things. First, share this cookbook with a friend, colleague, grandparent, sibling, or neighbor. By doing so, you invite them to learn about the recipes and the people that prepared the dishes. Second, try one of the intergroup bridging models in your own community and find ways for the group to offer their own recipes from near and far.
