Come dine with us

by Maryse Farag

After bills and booze, there is not much money left for students to spend on grub.

But don’t despair - the University of the Arts London's (UAL) Culinary society hosts and part-funds monthly outings to restaurants.

At the moment the society is restricted to these monthly gatherings until the question of its kitchen facilities is sorted.

The society’s biggest challenge, according to the president, Rachel Karasik, is the lack of kitchen space at UAL, admittedly quite a sizeable problem for a student-run organisation hoping to hold cooking demonstrations and dinner parties.

Lack of facilities

Students don’t have permission to use the kitchen facilities at the colleges due to health and safety restrictions.

But the SU has promised them kitchen space at the new building in Holborn.

This month the society met at the Churchill Arms, Notting Hill.

When you first walk in, it looks like another run-down pub with dark, heavy wood furniture and panelling and an unmistakable smell of beer in the air.

However, this is no ordinary pub: The Churchill Arms is home to a restaurant run by a Thai family, boasting traditional Thai food.

Walking into the restaurant felt like walking into an enchanted garden; dozens of hanging flowers drape from the ceiling above a stoned-tiled floor, with the sound of water from an indoor fountain.

While we were all busy enjoying our appetisers, the society members insisted that though many students may be intimidated by the word culinary, they will be pleased to learn that boiling water is a category of the culinary arts.

Anyone can join

So it’s safe to say anyone can join.

Founded in 2009, this society endeavours to expose students to the phenomenal variety of cultures and traditions, happily drawing upon the diversity of students’ tastes and heritages.

Dining out is perfect for any food lover. A gastronomic getaway is an invaluable experience of immersing yourself in a delicious culinary adventure that will inspire you with new knowledge of different foods and cultures.

The UAL Culinary society not only offers a delicious adventure, but it also functions as a social experiment.

Members with different personalities and backgrounds come together to experience food and conversation.

Everything from prices and presentation to the balance of sweet and savoury food was discussed on the night.

“Exciting, comforting, intriguing, tantalising” were the night’s concluding words from members.

New projects

Hoping to inject some flavour into catering at UAL, they will be launching a cookery book later this year that will be filled with recipes for students, by students.

While some people may doubt the expertise of student chefs, the society doesn’t, and they want your recipes to prove it.

If you have any tasty treats you want to share, submit them to Rachel Karasik, President of UAL Culinary Society at r.karasik2@csm.arts.ac.uk with your name, the recipe, and a brief description of the dish.

So if you are a closet Come Dine With Me fan, want to show off your culinary skills or are just looking for an emotional support group, then UAL Culinary society is the group to join.