Open Arms Cookbook

Created in collaboration with young people from asylum-seeking and refugee backgrounds, the Open Arms Cookbook celebrates diverse cultures, new connections, and the healing power of food. Each dish in this book tells a story of memory and belonging, and through the recipes, stories, and photos, it captures the community that has formed around Open Arms, our social club held at Pie Factory Music. 

This Cookbook is not a collection of perfect recipes, but a celebration of the process itself; an encouragement to take the time to talk about food – and just have a go at making something new.

Credits (as in book): 

Moa Norrsell Fahlander – Project Manager, author 

Hattie Pierce – Project Coordinator, author

Dylane Hubbard – for recipes, texts, wisdom, and care

Tom Wright and Peter Bateson – photography

George Harding – book design

Charlie Evaristo-Boyce – cover art and illustrations

Thanks and acknowledgements to all of the wonderful young people who contributed to this cookbook during our Open Arms sessions, by sharing their favourite recipes, stories and memories. 

Additional thanks to the cooks who have been in the kitchen alongside the young people during this project – Hetty Bax, Daisy Kelly-Granger, Mark Hearne and Steph Dickinson – who kindly contributed some recipes to this book – as well as the amazing Open Arms team and the wider Pie Factory community. Lastly, particular thanks to NHS Kent & Medway for funding this project.