LGK in the Community, working alongside Walsall College, hosted Queens of the City: A Taste of Belonging - a special event celebrating culture and cuisine. Supported by funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Walsall Council, the group brought people together on Thursday 5 March at The Hub for an evening of culture and cuisine. 

Sixteen women from across the borough shared recipes and dishes that celebrate their memories, and personal stories. As part of the project’s focus on heritage preservation and intergenerational learning, student chefs from Walsall College recreated these dishes, giving guests the chance to taste and connect with heritage and stories behind each creation.

The event was attended by a wide range of community, civic and organisational leaders, including Deputy Lieutenants and senior representatives from local organisations.

The event also featured the launch of the Queens of the City Digital Recipe Book, funded through the Feeding Our Futures programme, led by Walsall Council’s Public Health team. The online collection brings together family dishes, cultural traditions and personal stories, celebrating identity, belonging and the borough’s diverse food heritage.

Aligned with Feeding Walsall’s Future: Walsall’s Food Plan 2025–2030, the digital recipe book promotes healthier, culturally diverse food choices. By celebrating homecooked dishes and the stories behind them, the project supports the borough’s ambition to connect communities through food and encourage healthier, more sustainable eating.

The evening continued with an immersive programme of shared dining, entertainment, performances and discussion, including a panel exploring identity, culture and the future of community in Walsall. 

These contributions sit at the heart of the wider Queens of the City project, which preserves Walsall’s stories, recipes and cultural history for future generations.

The event brought people together while recognising the women who contribute so much to Walsall’s community life.

“ Walsall’s Food Plan is built on the belief that everyone in our borough should have easy access to healthy, affordable and sustainable food.

Projects like the Queens of the City Digital Recipe Book bring this vision to life by celebrating the diverse food traditions that shape our communities and by encouraging healthier choices in a way that feels meaningful and culturally rooted. By sharing stories, recipes and memories, we not only promote good food but also strengthen wellbeing, connection and pride across Walsall. “

Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Health and Wellbeing
Walsall Council

“ This event celebrated the incredible women in Walsall and the cultures that shape our borough. Food allows us to share stories, connect with one another and create a stronger sense of belonging. We were pleased to have welcomed so many people to the event at The Hub at Walsall College, and we hope residents will be inspired by the contributions of our incredible women from across the borough. “

Aisha Murad, Lead Heritage Officer
LGK in the Community

To access the digital recipe book and find out more about Queens of the City visit: https://queensofthecity.lgk.org.uk/

To read the full Walsall Food Plan, visit the Walsall Council website.

• Queens of the City celebrates the inspiring women of Walsall through creative projects that connect communities, schools, and young people. By exploring heritage, art, food, and storytelling, they create opportunities for local voices to be heard and creativity to flourish. 
• Feeding Walsall’s Future: Walsall’s Food Plan 2025–2030 sets out a borough‑wide vision for a fairer, healthier and more sustainable food system. It outlines priorities including supporting good food choices, promoting a healthy food environment, building a resilient and responsible food system, and ensuring organisations lead by example in sourcing and serving food. 
• The Queens of the City digital recipe book supports the second priority in Walsall’s Food Plan by promoting a good food environment and its commitments around celebrating Walsall’s diverse food heritage and strengthening community involvement. This includes supporting the development of volunteer networks that champion all aspects of good food, such as celebrating local food traditions. It also aligns with commitments to celebrate the culture and diversity of Walsall by promoting the local food offer and heritage found across different parts of the borough.