More than just a kitchen: Aromas, embraces, and a yellow tablecloth.
- cookingforgood1
- May 18
- 11 min read
Hello everyone! It’s been a while since our last update, and though we’ve been quiet, the stoves haven’t stopped burning. So much has happened, a challenge to summarise it all but we can guarantee that if you stop reading now you will miss out on exciting stories ranging from getting dressed up for the Sicilian rain to distant relatives from Mussomeli visiting us from lands far away.
Whats been cooking at TGK
Celebrating International Women's Day with Pro Loco: Rain, music, and a yellow tablecloth
International Women's Day is a fundamental date for us, and this year we experienced it in an un
forgettable way alongside our friends from Pro Loco Mussomeli. Although the original plan was to walk through the old town of our village on a "silent disco walking tour" (a walk with headphones) all dressed in yellow, the Sicilian sky had other plans: just before starting, it began to rain heavily!
But if there is one thing that defines Mussomeli, it is the unshakable optimism of its people. Danny tells us how he lived through that moment:
"What I love most about this town is the pure joy of its people and how they can have so much fun even on a grey day. Instead of walking, our friend Fabio improvised an aerobics class indoors. My goodness, he has incredible musical taste! We were all dancing with our headphones on.
I must confess that I caused a sensation (and many laughs), as the only yellow thing I found in the kitchen to wear was... a tablecloth! But no one cared; the most important thing was being there, participating. It was beautiful to reunite and dance with our dear volunteer Maria Chiara. Thank you to the entire Pro Loco team for such a special day!"
From Mussomeli to the World: Our participation in the Vienna workshop
Not long ago, we told you that we had an important date on our calendar, and it finally happened! We had the honour of being invited to participate online in a special workshop in Vienna, designed to train and mentor young social entrepreneurs who are looking to start their own community kitchens or are already leading similar projects.
Our mission was to share the "recipe" of our experience here in Mussomeli. To do this, the team prepared a very special presentation that included:
A journey to our origins: A video of our founder explaining how this vision was born and the first steps that brought TGK to life.
The voice of the day-to-day: A live online interview where Valeria, Antonella, and José shared their daily reality, the real challenges we face, and how each of them contributes their knowledge and skill to keep this engine running.
We are so deeply grateful for this opportunity. Participating in these events not only allows us to teach but also to continue building networks and bonds with people who, like us, believe in the power of food to transform communities. We continue to weave networks beyond our borders!
Under the Sicilian sun: Community lunches and Easter in the piazza
With the arrival of the spring days, the kitchen table is always set to welcome even more
guests for lunch and events. We have resumed our Sunday family lunches, taking advantage of the fact that the weather finally allows us to share a meal under the sun.
We want to especially highlight the Pranzo de Pascua. It was such a beautiful day so we decided that Piazza Umbertp would be our dining room. Our dear Calogera delighted us with an out-of-this-world pasta ragù, which we enjoyed directly in the open air and under the Sicilian sun.
Setting up the tables in the piazza was not only a change of scenery, but a way to invite everyone to be participate. Between plates of pasta and the blue sky, we exchanged stories and beautiful moments with all the neighbours and friends who came to celebrate. There is no better seasoning for food than a piazza full of life!
An unexpected reunion: From Buffalo to our kitchen
There are moments that fill our hearts and remind us why we do what we do. On one particular day while the team was in full action preparing pasta and organizing boxes of surplus food for our families, the door opened and a couple walked in.
It turned out they were visitors from Buffalo, USA, who had traveled to Sicily seeking their roots in Mussomeli. Thanks to social media, they knew about our project and decided to stop by to say hello. But there was an even bigger surprise: as we were chatting, we discovered they were relatives of our dear Calogera!
Despite being relatives, they had never met in person. Witnessing such an emotional embrace between Calogera and her cousins who had come from so far away, was a gift to us all. Moments like this reinforce our belief: The Good Kitchen is not just about providing food; it is a platform for creating and strengthening human bonds that know no borders.
World Disco Soup Day: Dancing against food waste
World Disco Soup Day is a global initiative by the Slow Food Youth Network that we absolutely love. The goal? To spark discussion about food waste in a creative way: cooking delicious dishes from scraps or leftovers, while we learn and dance together.
At TGK, we joined this movement with a very special dinner at our local space. But we weren’t alone: we invited international volunteers from STRAUSS, who brought typical dishes from their home countries, filling the table with flavors from all over the world. Many other foreigners living in or visiting Mussomeli joined the party, turning Sunday night into a melting pot of cultures and recipes.
It was a different kind of encounter compared to our usual pranzos, but it left our hearts full. Seeing such strong bonds being formed while we fight together for more responsible consumption makes us feel like we are on the right path. We cooked, we danced, and above all, we didn't waste a thing!
Picnic in the Piazza: Celebrating Spring with Health and Awareness
Just a few days ago, we joined the great Spring Festival, a vibrant gathering where we collaborated with various organisations from Mussomeli and neighbouring towns. It was a perfect day to socialise, exchange ideas, and above all, to reclaim and enjoy our city's green spaces.
The event had everything: guided walks through Mussomeli’s historic centre and live music that filled the amphitheater with energy. On our part, The Good Kitchen took care of bringing the flavour to the picnic, but with a clear purpose: to promote conscious and healthy eating.
We brought options that reflect our philosophy:
Rescued food: Transforming what others discard into delicious bites.
House-made fermented drinks: Natural refreshments full of life and health.
For us, participating in this picnic was not just about delivering food; it was an opportunity to show that it is possible to celebrate as a community while taking care of our bodies and the planet. A perfect weekend surrounded by nature and good friends!
A Magnet for Inspiration: Visitors crossing borders
In recent months, we have consolidated our position as a point of reference for those seeking to understand the impact of community kitchens. We have had the pleasure of receiving visits that fill us with pride and place us on the global map of social change:
Sicilian Alliances: We welcomed representatives from the Il Faro project, who came to learn firsthand about The Good Kitchen and chat about how we have sustained this project with life and heart.
From the International Press: A photojournalist from Palermo visited us to interview Danny. The goal is an article that will be published in Germany. The most beautiful part was that she didn’t just ask questions; she stayed the whole Sunday experiencing the joy of The Good Kitchen. Check out here! as the interview will be posted there soon.
A Team From Denmark: We also received a group of Danish visitors who traveled to Mussomeli to learn about The Good Kitchen and how we have created a positive impact on the community here.
Seeing people from places as distant as Denmark and Germany setting their sights on our kitchen confirms that the message of what we do is universal.
Innovations with Purpose: Small steps for big changes
At The Good Kitchen, our mission goes far beyond the kitchen; we want to be a driving force for change in caring for our planet. That is why we continue to implement creative solutions to reduce our environmental impact and show that alternative, sustainable paths exist.
In recent months, we have added two key initiatives:
Goodbye to Plastic: Our volunteer Antonella has started crafting handmade paper bags. The goal is to gradually eliminate the use of plastic bags when delivering dry food to families.
The Container Cycle: We continue to promote the use of reusable containers for Sunday pasta portions. Although changing habits takes time and we are still working toward full adoption, we are very happy with the results! Several families have are already using the containers, washing them at home, and returning them empty the following week to receive their meal.
We know that changing deep-rooted customs is a challenge, but we firmly believe that these small daily gestures are what build, step by step, a more conscious and healthy future for everyone.
Community Impact: A historic record of solidarity
Nothing we do would be possible without the constant support of our community. In recent months, the flow of donations has been constant and fills us with gratitude: from boxes of fresh oranges, celery, and potatoes, to the ongoing collaboration with SISA, Lidl and Eurospin and the rescue of food from various local caterers.
But if there is one thing that left us speechless, it was what happened the first weekend after Labor Day. We received a record number of donations, never seen before in almost five years of The Good Kitchen!
Seeing how the generosity of neighbours and shopkeepers continues to grow after so much time is the best engine to keep us moving forward. This record is not just a number; it is a reflection of a community that takes care of its own and firmly believes in the power of sharing. Thank you, Mussomeli, for making us feel like we are one big family!
Community Voices: Valeria’s heart
In this edition, we open a very special space for our dear Valeria Kharchenko. Originally from Ukraine, Valeria arrived in Mussomeli two years ago in search of a new beginning. From day one, she became a pillar of our kitchen, always with a radiant smile and an infinite willingness to help. Her presence reminds us that solidarity knows no borders and that true family is the one built with love and service.
Thank you, Valeria, for being a part of family and for allowing us to be part of your story.
Here, we share her words:
When I first came to The Good Kitchen, I was far from home. I am from another country, and at that time I really wanted to find a place where I could simply be myself: without explanations, without masks, just genuinely. And I found it here.
The Good Kitchen is a very special place for me, truly a magical one, and it also teaches me a lot. After I started volunteering here, I constantly feel changes within myself — in my way of thinking, in how I relate to people, and in how I perceive the world around me.
This place has become more than just a space or a project for me. It is a place of warmth, acceptance, and authenticity. Over time, I started volunteering actively, and today it is one of the most important activities in my life. Every time I come here, I feel joy and gratitude for having the opportunity to be part of something bigger.
I see the important social mission of this project. I see how small steps create real changes in the lives of local residents. Many meaningful events are born here, and we constantly strive for development. We want to do even more useful things for the community. And this is what inspires me the most. The feeling of moving forward, of a shared purpose, and of the desire to change the world around us gives me strength and hope.
I truly feel lucky to have found The Good Kitchen. It is a place where I can give my time and energy, and at the same time receive so much more — a sense of purpose, community, and genuine happiness.
What’s coming up at TGK?
From Mussomeli to Sardinia: We’re going to Girotonno!
We have news that fills us with pride and excitement: from May 29th to June 2nd, our founder Danny will travel to the beautiful island of Sardinia to participate in the prestigious Girotonno festival.
This is a world-renowned event where chefs from different countries compete representing their cultures. Danny has been selected to represent Australia, but he will also be flying the The Good Kitchen flag high!
The most special part of this invitation is that, although Danny was initially hesitant due to the competitive nature of the festival (which isn't really our style), the organisers insisted: for the first time in the festival's history, they wanted to have the voice of a Community Kitchen. Because of this, Danny and the volunteers are designing a recipe that breaks away from traditional restaurant standards. We aren't looking for the technical perfection of haute cuisine, but rather to bring our philosophy: love, connections through food, and the fight against food waste. We are eager to show the world that the tastiest food is the one made with purpose. We will keep you posted on all the details in the coming days!
"Nonnas" Project: One step closer to becoming a reality
This idea has been close to our hearts and we have been working behind the scenes to bring the project dedicated to the Nonnas of Mussomeli to life. We are starting from a simple but powerful premise: no grandmother should ever be alone.
After our initial meetings with the Sindaco (Mayor) of Mussomeli and the Pro Loco association, we received enthusiastic support, although we knew we had to polish the details to make the proposal completely clear and simple. Because of this, the TGK team has been dedicated to perfecting every point, developing a plan that is much more solid and detailed.
We are ready to continue with meetings and find the paths that will allow us to officially launch this project soon. We want our nonnas to be at the heart of this new chapter, and very soon we will give you more news on how we will achieve this.
Heading towards our 5th Anniversary!
On the 31st of July The Good Kitchen turns 5 and we are throwing a party here to celebrate. Save the date as you are all welcome! This achievement fills us with great pride and deep emotion as we have become a special place in the heart of the community. We are very proud to have been able to provide this open space for so many people for the last 5 years.
Although it is too early to reveal specific details just yet, we want you to know that the entire team is working behind the scenes on lots of exciting events and surprises. We are preparing a celebration that lives up to what this project means to all of us. Stay tuned, because what’s coming ahead will be truly unforgettable!
How you can help
For The Good Kitchen to remain a sanctuary of warmth and nourishment for so many people, the support of our community (both near and far) is essential. If our story resonates with you then there are several ways you can join us today:
Financial Donations: You can contribute through our PayPal account. These donations are vital to cover the operational costs that keep our space alive: from our rent and basic utilities to the fuel for our vehicle that allows us to rescue and deliver food. Every euro counts toward sustaining our foundation.
Grant Searching: If you know of any fund or grant (local or international) that we could apply for to keep growing, please let us know!
Equipment for our space: We need stackable plastic chairs and folding tables for more gusts to attend our community gatherings.
The power of "word of mouth": Subscribe to our newsletter and share our content. In this digital era, our most valuable growth engine remains your personal recommendation. Help us so more people can get to know our mission!
As you can see, these past few months have been a whirlwind of emotions, learning, and community. Everything we have shared today is just the prelude to what is yet to come.
We are just a few steps away from a milestone that fills us with excitement. From now on our minds and hearts are focussed on our 5th anniversary milestone, from the aromas in the kitchen to the each meal that we serve.
"Cooking together
the path toward our first 5 years;
the best is yet to be served."
With love, The Good Kitchen team
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