Chatter, singing and the clink of glasses, busy people clearing up paper plates and quiet moments of thought at dusk in a warming city centre space. The recent ShefFood Good Food Movement event, Poetry & Potluck, has left a generous glow on me since attending. In this weekly article, I often share the big food news stories broken down or features on our partners and their fantastic contributions to the food system in Sheffield. This week, I take a slight detour to focus on a small event that spoke volumes about community, diversity, and memory—all set against the backdrop of good food and inspiring words.
The event, the second in the series, was organised by Poetry on a Plate, Poets Yield Power, and ShefFood. Taking place at Union St café and workspace on the 31st of January, it was promoted as a celebration of Food, Literature and Community. Attendees were invited to bring a potluck dish, enjoy others’ home-cooked meals, and listen to an evening of spoken word performances. Seventeen poets graced the evening, each possessing a unique style, voice, and experience. From Sean Roy Parker, who recently published his debut poetry collection, ‘Stewarding’, to inspiring local activists from Sheffield Writers for Palestine, Mamie and Jonny, as well as those who had never publicly read their poetry, including myself. This event showcased a diversity seldom seen in larger venues or more established events.
The evening was hosted by Nell Attwood, the creator of Poetry on a Plate and ShefFood partnership coordinator, and Cheelo from Poets Yield Power. As poets and listeners gradually made their entrance, anticipation (and, in my case, a fair bit of nerves) began to build. The atmosphere warmed up, providing a welcome respite from a very cold day, alongside the warmth of camaraderie, as a few more experienced poets like Bridget (Sustenance Radio) assisted me with a mic check. Once everyone settled into the various benches and chairs, Nell welcomed us all and encouraged everyone to help themselves to a plate of whatever took their fancy at the potluck. Another point for diversity as we gathered in the Union St kitchen to sample an abundance of homecooked delights from pickles, sauces, breads, curries, salads, and a vast, generously portioned tub of rice.
The first half of the evening began with a fitting poem by Nell toasting the joys of food and the connections it fosters. We listened to joyful tributes to individuals and their cooking, reflections on oranges and curry, and the role of nature in shaping the food we cherish. I particularly appreciated Yvonne O’Donovan’s (known as YODO from Eye of a Needle) piece, “My Life in Seven Courses,” and Emma English’s (another poet from Sheffield Writers for Palestine) “If Onions Can Turn Golden.” Both pieces beautifully captured the links between food and our past, illustrating how certain ingredients, actions, and aromas evoke memories of those we love, home, and different stages of our lives.
After a brief break to savour the sweeter offerings at the potluck, we listened to more talented artists. Co-host Cheelo began with a humorous piece titled Mosquitos. I suppose they need to eat too! Following that, Ros Ayres (Now Then magazine) presented another comedic piece that aimed to explain mushy peas to aliens. Naturally, my turn eventually arrived. I recited a recently penned piece celebrating some of the extraordinary individuals I had met in Sheffield’s food and growing community over the past few years. Although it was nerve-wracking to be one of the last poets on stage, I was relieved to know I had chosen the right poem; it was perfectly fitting for the theme of food and community, titled United by Veg. As with every other performance, the audience listened attentively and was full of support. A big round of applause at the end lifted my spirits as I returned to my seat to hear another brilliant piece from Bridget about staying afloat in activism when burnout comes knocking.
The night concluded with an open mic session, where members of the audience shared their own creations. Nell wrapped up the evening with one final beautiful poem, intentionally named Poetry & Potluck. Even as the night drew to a close, the whole place continued to buzz with conversation and busy hands. Everyone chipped in, tidying up the food and serving ware, listening to music, singing along, and thanking new connections for their excellent pieces.
The night was filled with laughter, poetry, and food, showcasing how it can unite people. Exactly what ShefFood is all about. The organisation has five key focuses related to food: health, economy, growing and composting, community food provision, and food citizenship. The last pillar, food citizenship or the Good Food Movement, is harder to define than the other. It aims to empower Sheffield’s communities to influence the local food system, promoting fairness, health, and sustainability, emphasising inclusion for those facing food insecurity. It encourages collaboration and celebrates local food narratives. Poetry and Potluck embody this mission, uniting diverse communities through their culinary traditions.
It’s not just about a single event; we want to see everyone in Sheffield engaging with the food system at some level this year. We aim to promote and organise more food events in 2025 while supporting the organisations and businesses hosting them. If you’re involved in anything food-related, please contact our team at [email protected]. If you’d like to attend more food events, please visit our events page to find out more about what’s coming up.