Refugees cook up a feast in Preston

Photo Neil Cross The Red Cross holding a Refugee event

Asylum seekers in Preston have cooked up their favourite dishes from home to share with neighbours.

Meals from Iran, Zimbabwe, Venezuela and Sudan were among those on offer for visitors to try at an event held in a Fulwood church hall.

Up to 200 people took part - those living in the city while seeking asylum and neighbours from the streets around the church.

Thursday’s event was organised by the British Red Cross, which runs a weekly drop-in session for asylum seekers and refugees.

Photo Neil Cross The Red Cross holding a Refugee event. Mohamed Yaseen Abdullah

Wonder Phiri, British Red Cross service co-ordinator for the drop-in, said: “This event is held every year and there’s always an amazing range of food that people create.

“In the weeks leading up to the event we discuss recipes and ingredients with each person who wants to take part and then do our best to find them.

“Then they come in and cook in the kitchen at the drop-in.

“People really enjoy sharing what they have made.

“This year was the first time we invited neighbours living around the drop-in neighbourhood, as we wanted them to meet people who come to our drop in and find out more about what we do in Preston.”

Organisers said visitors were keen to share the cuisine from their home countries, including Eritrea, Sudan, Syria, Nigeria, Venezuela, Zimbabwe and Iran.

All the food to share was prepared in the kitchens at the church with dishes on offer including curries, Zimbabwean maize dishes, chicken, beef and lamb and traditional Iranian salads and rice recipes.

The event was held to celebrate Refugee Week 2016, but was postponed until after Ramadan so Muslim people taking part could eat during the day.

The British Red Cross is currently helping about 160 to 170 people a week at the drop-in, who are either seeking asylum or already have refugee status.