News Archive 2012-18

Kaleyard secures support from UnLtd - delivering social change in our community

Kaleyard has secured support from UnLtd, the UK’s foundation for social entrepreneurs. The funding and tailored package of support from UnLtd will help the organisation make lasting social change in the community.

Kaleyard: Cook, Eat, Share has been founded by internationally published food writer, author and cookery teacher Sumayya Usmani. This social enterprise was set up with the aim of easing social isolation in Glasgow, as well as instilling the celebration of home cooking, Scottish produce and joy of sharing meals with friends, old and new.

Born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan, Sumayya Usmani grew up in a culture where home cooked meals that would be shared between friends and family were at the centre of day-to-day life, bringing with it a sense of belonging and togetherness. Through Kaleyard Sumayya will share her passion for local produce and simple home cooking, something that has been at the heart of the classes she has taught for the last 10 years.

Kaleyard is a cook school with a conscience. The word 'Kaleyard' means a kitchen garden in old Scots, and hopes to bring the love to homecooking into to people's life, heart and homes. Classes will cover a wide range of cuisines but always with a focus on simplicity, seasonality and locally sourced ingredients.

Sumayya explains the ethos behind Kaleyard: “I am excited to get Kaleyard off the ground in Glasgow and am thankful for all the support Unltd has given me. I really believe there is a silent power in every single step of creating a meal from scratch and then sharing it together. It is mentally therapeutic, breaks barriers and dispels misconceptions, while helping us nurture instincts and educate each other about not just recipes, but about personal stories. I hope that Kaleyard can be a place where people come together, whether it is through our international master classes, knowing that that all profits will fund classes for helping a myriad of social issues across Glasgow, or through our community classes, which hope to bring a little joy into people and children’s lives, as well as teach them to cook cost effective food for a healthier lifestyle. Kaleyard is a pop up cookery school at the Old Barn in Pollock Park, Southside for now, but is on the look out for a permanent home soon.”

The funding that Kaleyard has received from UnLtd will allow the organisation to deliver a programme of cookery classes to Glasgow based special needs school St Oswalds. The 4 class programme, which will commence in Jan 2019, will communicate the ethos of Kaleyard and encourage the young people to connect with food and flavours, while celebrating Glasgow’s melting pot of cultures

Thomas McAlister, UnLtd Scotland Manager said:“It’s wonderful to see social entrepreneurs like Sumayya creating solutions to local problems. We think the community cook school will help bring people together through food, leading to a more cohesive society. Ideas like this are evidence that enterprising people are at the heart of so much positive change in local communities. We hope UnLtd Scotland’s tailored package of cash awards and support will help to develop many sustainable businesses that will deliver lasting social impact. Our vision is a future where social entrepreneurs flourish in and with their communities, implementing sustainable, locally embedded solutions.”

All profits from the organisation's commercial cookery classes will go to fund free and subsidised classes which will be readily accessible for marginalised groups within Glasgow to learn, cook, eat and share together. Moving into the New Year Sumayya hopes to acquire a premises for Kaleyard to develop into a community food hub and cook school.

ENDS

For more information please contact:

Claire Collins

claire@theroaragency.co.uk

07958 355580

Notes to the editor:

More information about Kaleyard can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/kaleyardcic

More information about Sumayya Usmani can be found at: http://sumayyausmani.com

UnLtd funds and support passionate and committed social entrepreneurs who are determined to tackle the key issues facing society. More information about the organisation can be found at: www.unltd.org.uk