Just One Plate for hope in Gaza
The humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza is devastating where an entire population is facing hunger on a massive scale. As food becomes increasingly scarce and infrastructure collapses, the urgency to act has never been greater.
In the face of such suffering, the enduring generosity of the Irish people continues to shine. Cork is now home to a heartfelt initiative that aim to provide real, tangible support to those struggling to survive in Gaza. The One Plate for Palestine campaign is the brainchild of Beverly Matthews of L’Atitude 51 in Cork city and Barbara Nealon from St Francis Provisions in Kinsale.
They’ve launched a simple but powerful idea: during the coming week, restaurants, cafés, and bars are encouraged to create a dish or drink inspired by traditional Palestinian ingredients. The proceeds from these special menu items will go directly to humanitarian aid for Gaza.
Palestinian food is a rich tapestry of history, hospitality, and flavour. Dishes like musakhan, roasted chicken baked with caramelised onions, tangy sumac, pine nuts, and served on traditional taboon flatbread which is considered the national dish of Palestine.
For those with a sweet tooth, there’s knafeh: a luscious, syrup-soaked cheese pastry topped with crisp shredded phyllo or semolina. On the spice rack, expect warming notes of cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and za’atar, blended with ingredients like chickpeas for hummus, aubergines for baba ghanoush, and thick, tangy yoghurt for labneh.
Whether it’s a plate of hummus, a bowl of baba ghanoush, or a cup of strong Arabic coffee or fragrant mint tea, Palestinian food is a vibrant expression of resilience and community.
And now, it’s also a way to show solidarity. Why not host your own One Plate event at home by inviting friends to share a meal and donate or to support participating venues across Cork and beyond. It’s a small gesture that can make a big difference.
Meanwhile, another inspiring initiative has emerged from the Irish publishing world. Kristin Jensen, founder of Blasta Books, has teamed up with Dublin-based printmakers Jando to produce a limited-edition art print entitled ‘Make Hummus Not War’.
Beautiful, bold, and rooted in culinary symbolism, the print is being sold to raise vital funds for World Central Kitchen, an organisation on the ground delivering meals to those in urgent need in Gaza. Available exclusively at blastabooks.com, the print comes in two sizes of A4 (€25) and A3 (€38) with 100% of proceeds going to relief efforts.
It's not just a piece of art; it’s a message of peace and an act of compassion. Blasta Books is also known for its gorgeous cookbooks by Irish chefs so while you're supporting Gaza, you might discover your next favourite recipe too.
These two grassroots initiatives from Cork’s food community and from the world of art and publishing are powerful reminders that compassion knows no borders. When it comes to feeding the hungry and comforting the suffering, small actions, shared meals, and cultural celebration can become tools of resistance and hope.
So thank you to Barbara, Beverly, Kristin, Julie and Owen and to everyone who chooses to cook, create, or contribute. In a time of deep sorrow, your actions bring both sustenance and solidarity to the people of Gaza.