Bold New Chapter: Fundraising Dinner to Build a Sustainability Cookery School in Gambia

Waste to Wonder Worldwide is proud to announce its first-ever fundraising dinner on Thursday 6 November 2025 at Oasis St Martins Village in London. 

The special evening will bring together leaders from across business, sustainability, and the community to raise vital funds for the creation of a Sustainability Cookery School in Gambia, a ground breaking project designed to tackle hunger, build climate resilience, and empower young people with the skills to feed futures.

33% of Gambia's population living below the poverty line and one in four children suffering from malnutrition. 

The Sustainability Cookery School will provide students with practical skills in sustainable agriculture and cooking, enabling them to grow climate-resilient crops, prepare nutritious meals, and create income opportunities for their communities.

Developed in collaboration with internationally renowned chef Conor Spacey and local partners including Global Orphan Empowerment Academy, the school will operate off-grid with a solar-powered borewell, renewable energy systems, and a hydrogen-powered cooking unit. It represents a bold, community-led model of climate action and social change.

“This project goes far beyond building a school,” Michael Amos, Managing Director of Waste to Wonder Worldwide told That's Food and Drink. 

“It’s about equipping the next generation with the knowledge and tools to build food security in one of the most climate-challenged parts of the world. Every ticket, every conversation, every moment on the night will help turn this vision into reality.”

Guests will enjoy a chef-curated menu, live music and storytelling from partners and communities around the world. 100% of proceeds from the evening will directly support the construction and launch of the Sustainability Cookery School in 2026.

Last Remaining Tickets: https://buytickets.at/wastetowonderworldwide/1819772

https://www.wastetowonder.com/cookery-school

FACTFILE:

Waste to Wonder Worldwide is a Social Enterprise and Charity (No. 1099665) leading one of the largest ethical reuse programmes of its kind. Since 2003, the organisation has supported more than 1,500 schools in 47 countries, diverted over 2,500 tonnes of furniture from landfill annually, and generated more than £45 million in fair market value for global educational and community projects. Waste to Wonder’s work supports 16 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

What to Do If You Need to Change Your Establishment’s Menu

Whether you're running a bustling café, a fine dining restaurant, or a cosy pub, there comes a time when your menu needs a refresh. 

Perhaps customer tastes have shifted, ingredients have become harder to source, or you're simply looking to keep things exciting and seasonal. 

Whatever the reason, changing your menu is a big decision—and one that requires careful planning.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do if you need to change your establishment’s menu:

1. Identify the Reason for the Change

Start by asking why the menu needs updating. Common reasons include:

Falling sales or customer feedback

Rising costs of ingredients

Seasonal availability

Shifting brand focus or target market

New food trends or dietary requirements (e.g. more vegan/gluten-free options)

Understanding the motivation behind the change helps guide the type of changes you make—whether it's a full overhaul or minor tweaks.

2. Review What’s Working—and What Isn’t

Before scrapping any dishes, analyse your current menu:

Top sellers: What do customers rave about?

Low performers: Which dishes are consistently left untouched?

Profit margins: Which items bring in the most revenue after food costs?

Prep time and complexity: Are some items too labour-intensive?

Keep your strong performers, and use insights from underperforming dishes to guide your updates.

3. Involve Your Team

Your kitchen and front-of-house staff have invaluable insight. Involve them in brainstorming new ideas or adapting current offerings. Chefs may suggest ingredient substitutions that maintain quality but cut costs. Servers can relay common customer requests or complaints.

You’ll get better buy-in—and potentially brilliant ideas—when your team is part of the process.

4. Research Trends and Local Preferences

Food trends can spark inspiration, but always consider your core audience. A fine dining menu in London may benefit from different tweaks than a country pub in Yorkshire.

Sources of insight:

Social media and foodie blogs

Competitor menus

Seasonal produce calendars

Customer surveys or comment cards

You might discover that plant-based options, heritage ingredients, or hyper-local sourcing are what your customers crave.

5. Update Your Suppliers and Costings

Menu changes affect your supply chain. Contact suppliers to check availability, lead times, and pricing for any new ingredients. It’s also essential to update your costing sheets to ensure new dishes align with your desired profit margins.

Don’t forget to factor in training, waste reduction, and storage space too.

6. Test New Dishes

Trial new items before launching them fully. This could involve:

Staff tastings for honest feedback

Limited-time specials to gauge customer interest

Small-scale launches during quieter hours

This testing phase helps iron out issues with portion size, prep time, or presentation.

7. Update Your Branding and Marketing Materials

When the new menu is ready, make sure all your materials reflect the change:

Printed menus and chalkboards

Website and online ordering platforms

Social media profiles

Third-party listings (e.g. Google, TripAdvisor, Just Eat)

Tease the new dishes in advance on social media and email newsletters to build excitement.

8. Train Your Team Thoroughly

A successful menu rollout depends on your staff. Provide detailed training on:

New recipes and cooking methods

Ingredients (particularly allergens)

Presentation standards

How to confidently describe dishes to customers

Well-informed, enthusiastic staff can make a huge difference to customer experience.

9. Gather Feedback Post-Launch

After launching the new menu, ask for customer feedback—formally or informally. Monitor sales patterns and reviews. Be ready to make small adjustments as needed.

Sometimes a dish that looks great on paper doesn’t work in practice. Stay flexible.

10. Celebrate the Change

Highlight your new menu with a launch event, social media campaign, or feature in the local press. Reward regulars with a sneak peek or tasting session. Use the change as a positive story that reinforces your brand’s creativity and commitment to quality.

Final Thoughts

Changing your menu is more than swapping out a few dishes—it’s a strategic move that can boost profitability, improve customer satisfaction, and re-energise your team. With proper planning and communication, a refreshed menu can set your establishment up for success for months (or seasons) to come.

Breathing New Life into Ordinary Recipes: Creative Twists to Make Your Meals Exciting

Cooking at home often means falling back on a roster of tried-and-tested dishes: a classic pasta bake, a staple curry, a dependable roast.

While there's nothing wrong with turning to these old favourites, it’s easy to fall into a culinary rut. 

The truth is, with a bit of creativity and experimentation, you can transform your everyday recipes into something new and exciting, turning even the most ordinary meal into a memorable feast.

In this post, we'll explore ways to give your go-to recipes a fresh twist, helping you rediscover the joy of cooking and impress your family or friends along the way.

Whether it’s by experimenting with new ingredients, adding unexpected flavours, or exploring techniques from different cuisines, there are countless ways to elevate your meals. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Change or swap Ingredients for a New Perspective

One of the simplest ways to reinvent a familiar recipe is to swap out some of its main ingredients. Think of this as an exercise in culinary creativity. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Try alternative grains: If your favourite stir-fry is usually served over white rice, switch to quinoa, bulgur, or pearl barley for a nutty texture and additional nutrients. For pasta dishes, why not try spiralised courgettes or sweet potato noodles for a lighter, fresher feel?

Experiment with proteins: If you always use chicken in your curries, try substituting it with prawns, tofu, or even jackfruit for a different texture. The same applies to shepherd's pie—switching minced lamb for lentils or mushrooms can create a hearty yet plant-based version.

Play with herbs and spices: Adding a dash of sumac to your roast vegetables, sprinkling za’atar over your avocado toast, or infusing your stews with warming cinnamon and star anise can introduce entirely new flavour profiles. Spices can take your meal from familiar to fantastic with just a pinch.

2. Embrace Fusion Flavours for a World of Inspiration

Why stick to a single cuisine when you can combine the best of multiple worlds? Fusion cooking allows you to blend flavours and techniques from different traditions, resulting in an exciting hybrid dish. Here are some fusion ideas to try:

Mexican-Italian mashup: Make a lasagne with a twist by using tortillas instead of pasta sheets and adding layers of spicy black beans, salsa, and jalapeños.

Asian-Mediterranean fusion: Give your classic Greek salad a flavour boost by drizzling it with a miso-ginger dressing instead of the usual olive oil and lemon.

British-Indian comfort food: Add a teaspoon of garam masala and a splash of coconut milk to your traditional cottage pie filling to bring a gentle curry warmth to the dish.

3. Play with Textures for Added Excitement

Texture can be just as important as taste when it comes to enjoying a meal. If you’ve got a dish you’ve made a hundred times, consider ways to change up its texture:

Add a crunch: Top creamy soups with toasted nuts, crispy bacon bits, or a scattering of crispy chickpeas. For pasta dishes, sprinkle breadcrumbs mixed with olive oil, garlic, and herbs before serving for a delightful crunch.

Go creamy: If your stir-fry or salad feels a bit one-note, try adding a dollop of creamy tahini sauce, yoghurt, or an avocado dressing for extra richness.

Layer the textures: In dishes like casseroles or gratins, adding a layer of thinly sliced potatoes, a topping of crispy panko breadcrumbs, or even caramelised onions can elevate the dish's overall texture and flavour.

4. Elevate with Garnishes and Finishing Touches

Never underestimate the power of a garnish. It's the final touch that can transform a dish from good to great, adding both flavour and visual appeal:

Fresh herbs: Finely chopped basil, coriander, or mint can instantly lift a dish, adding a burst of freshness. Consider using herb oils for drizzling as well.

Citrus zest: Grating a bit of lemon or lime zest over roasted vegetables, pasta, or risotto adds brightness and an unexpected zing.

Flavoured oils: Finish off your dishes with a drizzle of chilli oil, truffle oil, or even garlic-infused olive oil for a boost of aroma and depth of flavour.

Cheese: Adding grated cheese to a homemade soup recipe can really help pick it up a notch

5. Rethink Presentation for a Restaurant-Worthy Finish

Sometimes, it’s not about the ingredients or techniques but how you present the dish. A few tweaks to plating can make your everyday recipes feel gourmet:

Use different serving vessels: Serve soups in a hollowed-out bread bowl, layer desserts in mason jars, or present salads on a wooden board for a more rustic feel.

Embrace the art of plating: Take cues from fine dining by arranging your ingredients thoughtfully. Swirl sauces, stack components, and use garnishes to add colour contrast.

Incorporate edible flowers or microgreens: These can make even the simplest dishes look special. Try adding a few to your next salad, pasta, or dessert for that “wow” factor.

6. Explore Seasonal and Local Produce

Lastly, focusing on seasonal ingredients is an excellent way to breathe new life into old recipes. Seasonal produce is often fresher, more flavourful, and more sustainable:

Autumn inspiration: Use butternut squash, chestnuts, and figs to create comforting, hearty dishes with a touch of sweetness.

Summer flavours: Brighten up your salads with juicy tomatoes, fresh berries, and fragrant herbs like basil and mint.

Winter warmers: Incorporate earthy root vegetables like parsnips, turnips, and celeriac into your roasts and stews for a rich, comforting meal.

Conclusion: Rediscover the Joy of Cooking

Taking ordinary recipes and making them new again is not just about breaking out of a routine—it’s about rediscovering the joy of cooking. It’s a way to see your kitchen not as a place of duty but as a playground for creativity. By experimenting with ingredients, playing with textures, or embracing bold new flavours, you can transform your everyday dishes into exciting meals that delight the senses.

So, the next time you reach for that familiar recipe, pause for a moment and think: how can I make this dish something extraordinary today? You'll be surprised at how a little imagination can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Happy inventive cooking!