How to host a Climate Cook-In event in 6 simple steps

Planning your event

So you’re up for cooking up a climate-friendly meal to inspire your loved ones to up their climate action? You’re not alone. People up and down the country have already signed up to do the same this July, and we’re here to help.

Here’s a rundown of the basics. But once you sign up we’ll send you more ideas and resources, and if you have any questions you can email Hannah at hannah@wearepossible.org.

Step 1 - Sign up

Let us know you’re planning to host a Climate Cook-in by signing up to the event. Once you sign up, Hannah will get in touch and send you everything you need (including recipe suggestions, discount codes for low carbon food retailers, and links to join exclusive online cook-along events). She’ll also send you an invitation to our Cook-In host Facebook group, which we’ll use to share recipes and tips and inspiration.

Step 2 - Work out the guest list

This is the important bit (after all the whole point of the Climate Cook-in is to reach more people and spread the word about food-focused climate action. Pick a few friends, family members, colleagues or neighbours and invite them to your feast. make sure you’re keeping to the current government guidelines for social distancing during COVID-19 pandemic - you can check them here.

Step 3 - Pick a date and time

Pick a date and time during the Climate Cook-in week (Monday 26th July and Sunday 1st August). Figuring out an evening (or lunchtime) that fits with your guests’ schedules sometimes isn’t easy - if you’re having trouble, we’d suggest using an online scheduling tool (like Doodle) where everyone puts in their availability during that week, so you can find a date that works. 

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Step 4 - Cook something delicious

There are lots of different ways to reduce the environmental impact of our diets. There are no rules for the Climate Cook-In and we know that no single solution will work for everyone, so you can show off your climate-friendly kitchen skills in whichever way best suits you and your guests. There are a few ideas below, but remember, this event should ease your guests into low-carbon lifestyles, so go in at a level that you think would be appropriate and not make them run for the hills.

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  • Choose plant-rich recipes - producing meat and dairy tends to emit much higher environmental impact than growing grains and vegetables for human consumption.

    • Challenge yourself: Vegan feast 

  • Buy local and keep it seasonal . Transport is one of the UK’s biggest culprit’s when it comes to carbon emissions, so food miles (the distance travelled from the point of food production to your plate) is a key factor to keep in mind. That being said, summer veg grown out of season in the UK in polytunnels can require loads of energy to keep them warm. So if you’re choosing local crop, try to choose what’s in season - check BBC Good Food’s seasonal calendar if you’re not sure.

    • Challenge yourself: Seasonal Supper 

  • Keep waste to a minimum. In the UK, we throw away more than 7 million tonnes of food and drink every year, most of which is still fine to eat. The production of that 7 million tonnes of food, contributes the same amount of carbon emissions into our atmosphere as ¼ of cars on the road - what a waste! We’ve got tips for reducing food waste on our actions blog.

    • Challenge yourself: Weigh your waste and/or plastic-free picnic

If you’re looking for some inspiration, see our ideas on our website: and keep an eye on your email inbox. I’ll send tips, recipes, and links to watch our exclusive Climate cook-along online tutorials (just for hosts). 

Step 5 - Raise money for climate action

Hosting a Climate Cook-in event is a great way to raise money for even more climate action. 

There are a few ways you can incorporate fundraising into your event. So again, you can choose whichever you feel happiest with.

  • Offer event ‘tickets’ at a price of your choosing (£5-10 usually works for us), 

  • Ask your guests for donations on a pay-as-you-like basis. 

  • Run a quiz or raffle to raise funds.

Whichever you choose to do, you can collect donations via your very own JustGiving event page, or our Cook-In donation page (we’ll send you links to both). If you’d rather send donations by post, our office address is 8 Delancey Passage, London NW1 7NN.   

Step 6 - Enjoy the conversation - and bring in climate action 

Talking about climate change does not have to be a conversation dampener. 85% of the British public are already ‘concerned’ about climate change, so you probably won’t need to be convincing anyone why taking action is important. Instead you can talk about the solutions available (including this delicious meal you’ve prepared) and reasons to have hope. We have tips and topics for you to use when having climate conversations, but relax, ask questions, and enjoy the evening. 

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Keeping safe under Covid-19

When hosting an in person Great Climate Cook-in it is important to ensure you plan ahead to keep you and your guests safe during your event. This could include:

  • Providing hand sanitiser for people to use or a space for them to wash their hands

  • Asking guests to take one of the free rapid lateral flow tests the morning of the event to confirm they don’t have Covid-19

  • Not inviting too many people - the current government guidance limits social gatherings to 6 people. 

  • Using outdoor space if possible (and the weather is good enough). If you have a garden you could use that, or take your meal to a public park for a climate-friendly picnic. If you’ve got to stay inside, keep some windows open to increase airflow

  • Ask guests not to come if they or people they have been in contact with someone who has or have displayed symptoms of Covid-19.

generalRoween Rawat