Sunga isnโt the only person using food as a means to connection. Polly Joshua, 30, from London, runs Snacks & Chats, a monthly meet-up that picks a different takeaway brand each time and charges attendees ยฃ5 to munch and meet. Usually 25 to 35 people come along. โFood breaks the ice straight away,โ Joshua says. โNo awkward intros, no pressure. People rock up solo all the time and end up chatting for hours. Weโve seen friendships form and pub trips happen afterwards. Itโs just easy. And I think thatโs what people want, a place where you donโt have to โknow someoneโ to be there.โ Joshua says the key to her events is they arenโt โover producedโ. They meet somewhere low-key like a park, bring a blanket, and enjoy whatโs on offer. โItโs meant to feel like something your mate invited you to on a Saturday,โ she adds. Joshua works in the food industry and as part of her job gets to try new takeaway brands everyday. After seeing the success of run clubs in bringing people together, she thought why not do the same but with the brands sheโs exposed to at work. โFitness and running clubs are great, but theyโre not for everyone (and definitely not me). Food felt like a leveller. Everyone eats. Everyoneโs welcome.โ
