Hello everyone,
I’ve been thinking about purpose and mission. My friend featured me on her blog Crew & Riot and pulled out a quote that reads “I want to help people feel like they have a place in the world and a seat at the table.”
I’ve sat with this as a clue to develop my personal mission.
Here’s what I have so far - My mission is to build spaces for people, brands, and businesses to better understand themselves and their reason for being in order to connect with humans, build community, connection and find their purpose.
Bits + Pieces is evolving into a really special space that allows me to introduce you to wonderful humans, those that are new and old, those that are doing good, and bringing people together to collaborate and learn from each other.
This week I’m proud to introduce you to Ella, founder of Gather, a non-profit community-focused concept created in London and now based in Berlin. Gather focuses on food’s ability to connect people, spark conversation and create social change and I’m excited for you to learn more about the impact and purpose behind the organisation and to hear how Ella has created it.
I’m so inspired by the experiences Ella curates, the way she effortlessly creates community wherever she is and her drive to make the change she wants to see.
I know you’ll leave as inspired as she makes me feel.
Grateful to have you here.
Tish xx
“Gather aims to diversify the food industry through profiling a range of cooks, stories and cuisines, and uses food as a way to bring people together within their community”
T: What’s the aim of Gather and why did you start it?
E: Gather aims to diversify the food industry through profiling a range of cooks, stories and cuisines, and uses food as a way to bring people together within their community. All profits go to a different charity agreed on between myself and the chef before each event. Our most recent event focused on the FLINTA community where I curated a line up of artists, DJs and ceramicists at a womxn owned wine shop in Kreuzberg, Berlin. From door donations alone we were able to raise 500€ for Women in Exile, a refugee initiative that supports womxn coming to Germany. Giving all these things a platform is what inspires me to continue evolving events so that others can profile their visions and creativities in a safe space.
T:What was it like starting Gather? How does running an event in London differ from Berlin?
E: Getting it started was tricky, trying to work out what it is and how it will work, and I spent a lot of time sourcing the right people to work with. At first, I was meeting loads of people for coffees, trying to find people to cook with me and tell their stories. It’s now been a few years and I have people coming to me like “Hey, can I cook for Gather?” It’s a really amazing feeling to know that people understand what I’m trying to do. London was definitely trickier, mostly on the venue and money front, places would say “Yeah I get you’re non-profit but the space is still £1k to hire.” It’s different in Berlin. When I was connected with Claude from JAJA, a natural wine restaurant in Berlin, she immediately got what I was going for. She was like, “Yeah of course you can host your events at JAJA, just tell me when”. It’s people like Claude that make Berlin what it is about. Community and connection.
“Berlin feels beautifully spontaneous. I think the revolving door of creative people coming through this city is what keeps it so exciting”
T: What’s special about Berlin and how’s it been getting Gather up and running in a new city?
E: Berlin feels beautifully spontaneous. I think the revolving door of creative people coming through this city is what keeps it so exciting. I also feel like there is so much opportunity to do great things here, and there is a community around you ready to support you and show up for you. Gather has been well received since moving here, each event selling out within days. I really didn’t expect the demand to be so high for a concept like this but it’s awesome to know people are into it. I feel like I’m only just getting started and I can’t wait to see what’s in store next.
T: Do you have books, resources, movies, or conversations that helped you shape what you're doing? Pivotal moments to share?
E: A few charities that Gather has raised funds for across past events:
Bridges Over Borders Berlin: A community-based collective aiming to support marginalised individuals fleeing Ukraine. What Paul, Jen, and the rest of the BOBB team are doing is incredible
The Real Junk Food Project: Aimed at fighting food waste through various workshops and initiatives
Open Kitchen Berlin: Part of the wider community collective Give Something Back Berlin organization focuses on helping refugees and newcomers to interact and socialise through a number of food projects
Shoutout to some of the recent chefs I have been lucky to work with. The wonderful Angelica Golten who left her music PR day job to pursue her cooking dreams and is now currently at 40 Maltby St and Akwasi Mensa, also ex-music and recently opened Tatale, a Pan African restaurant in Southbank. If you’re ever in London, check them both!
T: Anything else you want to share with us? I know you have a residency on Refuge Worldwide radio?
E: Take a listen to my recent interview with my homies Jeff and Jess, due to open Stoke Berlin, a wood fire restaurant in Mach 2023. These legends share hot tips on Berlin food and other cultural insights. There needs to be more people like these two!
Follow Gather on Instagram here
Follow Ella on Instagram here