The winning dish will be featured on the Cellarium’s special Commonwealth menu and enjoyed by visitors
This summer, Westminster Abbey’s Cellarium Café & Terrace is celebrating the rich and diverse flavours and food traditions of the Commonwealth with a unique initiative: the Commonwealth Special Dish competition.
Westminster Abbey has long-standing links with the Commonwealth – a voluntary association of 56 independent countries with a shared history and a joint commitment to development, democracy and peace – and hosts the annual Commonwealth Day service every March.
Launching on 9th February, the competition asks the public to submit their favourite recipe or dish from any Commonwealth country, along with a brief explanation of why it is meaningful to them.
From fiery Trinidadian doubles stuffed with spiced chickpeas, to rich Sri Lankan wattalapam, a coconut and jaggery custard, fragrant Malaysian laksa bursting with lemongrass and chilli, tangy South African bobotie baked with a golden egg topping, delicate Fijian cassava cake, and aromatic Kenyan sukuma wiki, the competition encourages participants to be as unique and personal as possible, showcasing the extraordinary variety of tastes and traditions across the Commonwealth.
The winning dish will be added to the Cellarium’s special Commonwealth menu, which will run throughout the summer, and the winner will also receive a £200 voucher to enjoy their creation at Westminster Abbey. Entries will be judged on both flavour and story, celebrating the personal and cultural significance of each recipe.
Served in the Abbey’s historic Cellarium, with its soaring glass ceiling and views of Westminster Abbey’s ancient stonework, the special menu allows diners to embark on a global journey through flavour while honouring the unity and diversity of the Commonwealth.
“Food has a unique power to tell stories, connect cultures, and bring people together,” said Lorraine Rossdale, Head of Ceremonial, Events and Marketing at Westminster Abbey. “This competition reflects the Abbey’s long-standing tradition as a place of worship, celebration and commemoration with enduring links to the nations of the Commonwealth”.
Submissions open on Monday 9th February and close on Monday 2nd March, with the winner announced on Monday 9th March. The competition offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for food lovers across the UK to see their favourite Commonwealth dish celebrated in one of London’s most iconic historic venues.
To enter the competition, please submit your story here.