Over the course of two days, April 5th and 6th, pop-up restaurant Our Table will be a celebration of food traditions from a variety of countries, with a menu devised and cooked each day by people in Direct Provision, Ireland’s housing programme for asylum seekers.

Our Table aims to highlight the fact that people in Direct Provision are not allowed to cook for themselves and how that impacts on family and cultural identity. The project also wants to show that there is a wealth of food knowledge being lost to the next generation.

According to the Department of Justice and Equality, Direct Provision is a “means of meeting the basic needs of food and shelter for asylum seekers directly while their claims for refugee status are being processed rather than through full cash payments.” Under the programme asylum seekers receive €19.10 per adult and €9.60 per child per week.

Organised by Michelle Darmody, owner of the the Cake Cafe and Slice, and Fiona Corbett, a director of Sheridan’s Cheesemongers, Our Table will take place on April 5th and 6th, from 12 to 3 pm each day in the Projects Arts Centre Temple Bar.

As well as serving food, a drop-in area in the foyer of Project Arts Centre with hot drinks from various nations such as rooibos, chai and honey and mint tea. A suggested donation of €2 for the drinks but it is mainly a place where people can chat, interact and find out about more about direct provision.

Tickets for the full three course lunch have now sold out, but non ticket holders are invited to visit for tea and cake throughout the two day event. Visitors are also encouraged to donate flowers from their garden to decorate the tables, and to show solidarity to those living in Direct Provision centers in Ireland.

Money raised from Our Table will go to cover costs of participant’s travel, the food and equipment needed. Any surplus raised will go to the Refugee Council of Ireland.

For more information visit www.projectartscentre.ie/event/table/.