Enjoy a taste of the Mediterranean in your home thanks to UON students

Four final year Events Management students at the University of Northampton are throwing open their family cookbooks to share their top tapas recipes, bringing a taste of the Mediterranean to Northampton.

On 23 April, the students will host their virtual Tapas cook-a-long, in support of the local charity, the Hope Centre.

Each year, Events Management students work with local charities to host fundraising events, which forms part of their final year project – equivalent to a dissertation.

Speaking about the inspiration behind the event, Fernando Molina, final year student, from Madrid, Spain, said: “Over lockdown, I’ve been missing going out to eat, drink and see friends. At home in Spain, tapas is a huge part of our culture. What better inspiration for our final year, fundraising event.”

The students, Fernando Molina, Laura Hernandez, Borja García-Fraile, and Ana Cantos, have been responsible for the promotion, organisation, and planning of the fundraising event, as well as working with top Chef, David Lively, to create a mouth-watering menu.

Head Chef at the University of Northampton, David Lively, will be hosting the cook-a-long from his kitchen on campus, said: “If you’re craving sun-soaked tapas and a glass of sangria, this is the event for you.

“The beauty of tapas is the quality of the ingredients you use; simple and full of flavour, but together they create something incredibly delicious. I’m a big fan of Spanish cuisine, especially the flavours you’ll find in our tapas menu. It has been a privilege to work with these Spanish students and their family recipes to create a great cook-along session, which will be perfect for foodie fans or first time cooks.”

The money raised through this fundraising cook-a-long will be a lifeline to the increasing number of people in Northampton who find themselves in need of the services offered by the Hope centre.

The Hope Centre supports hundreds of people living in poverty every day, providing them with food, support through their HandUp service for the homeless, and training and advice through the Learng4Living program along with volunteering and employment through their social enterprise.

To book your ticket for the tapas party, and to find out more visit their website, or follow us on Instagram: @TapasPartyNorthampton Twitter: @TapasParty and Facebook: Tapas Party Hope Centre.