The Share Kai Cooks Collective

The Cooks Collective is made up of passionate and capable cooks from ethnic communities not often visible in the hospitality scene in Aotearoa.

Since we began at the end of 2022 20 women from four ethnic backgrounds - Afghan, Eritrean, Bhutanese/Nepali and Moroccan - with lived experience as refugees in Ethiopia, Pakistan, Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia and Nepal have been members of the Cooks Collective.

InCommon works alongside the Cooks Collective, we provide professional development and identify and facilitate opportunities for our Cooks Collective to engage with our wider community and achieve financial security.

In partnership with Aotearoa Refugee and Migrant Support Services the Cooks Collective are attending a small-business workshop.

In partnership with Rourou and Lady Khadija Trust members of the Cooks Collective have participated in a leadership programme, tailored for women from ethnic backgrounds.

In partnership with Hagley Adult Literacy Centre members attend weekly English classes to improve their English.

We offer pathways to the workforce - three Cooks Collective members operate the Share Kai Cafe as Coordinators and six members have trained as cooking tutors with Risingholme Learning.

The Cooks Collective goal is to establish themselves as as a food business in 2026. The Share Kai Café at WEA and other Pop-Up locations are incubators for business development. Support their mahi on the first Friday of each month at Canterbury WEA for lunch with a purpose!

Together the Cooks Collective, Share Kai Ops team and delivery partners share responsibility for making our events happen.

And they couldn’t happen without our wonderful diners! Come and join us, read more about our upcoming events here: