Essex Cultural Diversity Project is working in partnership with Chelmsford Muslim Association to support an eight week program, as part of Essex ActivAte, the Holiday Activity and Food programme run by Active Essex in partnership with Essex County Council and funded by the Department for Education.

We will be delivering two sessions per week with Sajida Begum, Community Chef, part of IQRA Learning based in Chelmsford. Sajida has extensive experience and knowledge of delivering food cooking workshops and demonstrations with diverse community groups in Chelmsford and the surrounding areas.

The focus of the workshops and demonstrations will be how to make the most of our kitchen utensils and equipment such as pans, pots, griddles, air fryers and woks, and how to cook on a budget including low-cost food and energy usage.

As part of the project will work with diverse community groups in Chelmsford including Muslim, Sikh and Bangladeshi families at the Hampton Leisure Centre, which is also the local Mosque and Community Centre owned by Chelmsford Muslim Association. Chelmsford Muslim Association and IQRA Learning volunteers will support the twice weekly food program sessions, working with Sajida Begum, Community Chef.

The project will culminate in a final celebration during the Muslim Festival of Eid on 22 April 2023, with a food sharing event.