Papi’s Pickles is a female-led social enterprise cooking Sri Lankan and South Indian food, and the heart of the business is about empowering women through employment and bringing communities together through a shared love of food and cultural heritage.
“This is a bit of a lifeline for us, as our revenue streams (event catering, weddings, pop ups etc.,) essentially disappeared once lockdown hit,” said Paloma Guerrero of Papi’s.
Papi’s Pickles began in 2013 when founder, Abi, met many women who relocated to the UK, especially London, during and after the conflict in Sri Lanka. The isolation and sense of loss experienced within these communities was extreme and despite a desire to work, there was little opportunity to be found.
Cooking, food and community remained a happy memory from home and research showed a significant demand for South Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine, particularly made from high quality ingredients. And so, Papi’s Pickles was born.
Female refugees and migrant workers remain a marginalised group and employment is core to the process of integration, which is where Papi’s steps in. Since 2015, they have recruited and trained 23 long-term unemployed women, and are a London Living Wage employer.
Do join Papi’s at their “South Indian Summer Brunch” Clapham fundraiser, beginning at 12.30PM on Sun, 5 September 2021 at the Omnibus Theatre, 1 Clapham Common North Side, London SW4 0QW. See here for more details and a very tempting menu.
To use this website you must be aged 18 years or over. Please verify your age before entering the site.
