Fighting homesickness with food
From Iranian stews to Colombian biscuits: in Leuven, you can taste the world at a single table. For Aishwarya from India, it all began with a longing for the flavours of home. What started as a small WhatsApp group grew into the Leuven Cooking Club, where more than 300 people cook, eat and share stories together.
Almost five years ago, Aishwarya and her husband moved from India to Leuven. He works here at a technology company; she is a freelance writer and volunteers at the library.
Aishwarya: “I love Leuven, but during the first few months, I missed India terribly: my family, friends… and the food. The street food in Mumbai, for example, where I lived for a long time. I started cooking a lot, to recapture the smells and flavors of home. That brought back warm memories. Cooking really helped me feel at home here.”
“After a while, I realized I wasn’t alone: many people who’ve moved here miss the dishes from their home countries. There was already an international WhatsApp community called ‘Leuven Social Groups’ with separate groups for different themes: sports, board games, books, hiking… But nothing about cooking yet. So I just went ahead and started one!”
Okra and Matcha
“The Leuven Cooking Club has more than 300 members, and new ones join every week. Germans, Turks, Mongolians, Greeks, Colombians, Chileans, Americans - and Belgians, too. We share our favorite recipes, ask where to find the best okra - a vegetable - or matcha tea in Leuven, and we take on a challenge every month. Last month’s theme was strawberries. From muffins to salads: anyone who wants to can get creative with the ingredient and share the results with the group.”
“We also see each other in person. For example, we organize a potluck every month - in a park or at International House, who we partner with. Everyone brings something delicious from their own kitchen, we put everything together, and we sample each other’s cooking. It’s always super fun. Something special happens when you bring strangers together around a dining table. There’s no shortage of recipes and cooking videos online, but eating together - that sense of connection - you just can’t find that on the internet.”
Green Christmas
“Some members organize their own cooking workshops, usually at home. That’s how we’ve already been introduced to Iranian cuisine, learned how to make kombucha, and cooked a Belgian Christmas menu together - but a vegan one! These people not only open their homes to us, but also share a piece of themselves. Food is an important part of your culture and identity.”
“We also do food walks - these are themed walks around the city, focusing on edible plants or coffee, for example. And I’ve also organized a cookbook club: everyone brought their favorite cookbook.”
“I still have lots of ideas for the Leuven Cooking Club. For example, I dream of a recipe book and a podcast. But for now, it’s mainly a warm, international group where friendships sometimes blossom. Newcomers and locals alike - everyone is welcome!”
Join the Leuven Cooking Club!
Would you like to become a member of the Leuven Cooking Club? Send Aishwarya a message via:
- Instagram: @leuvencookingclub
- Website: leuvencookingclub.wordpress.com
