Taste of
Yeovil

Celebrating the Culture of Sharing

Taste of Yeovil tells the stories of diverse communities through a shared interest in food, capturing tales of ‘food culture’ over time, specific to Yeovil and its communities. Conjuring the heart warming and emotive memories we can associate with food and also capturing the essential part that the food industry has played in Yeovil’s past and present.

The Taste of Yeovil Exhibition ‘Welcome Home’ at Yeovil Art Space (20 Jan – 30 Mar) will bring together a display of artworks co-created with artists and community members in Yeovil over the last 6 months.

We have been inspired by food from diverse communities and the part it plays in our lives and our heritage. Yeovil’s Indian Association and Friends are one of many groups to participate, along with individuals from Italian, Hong Kong, African-Caribbean, South Asian, Polish, South African and Mexican backgrounds. The exhibition will also include some fascinating ‘food related’ historical objects from private contributions and the South Somerset Heritage Collection.

Community recipe book ‘Taste of Yeovil’, telling the stories of nine Yeovil residents and their favourite food. Each participant was asked about why their favourite recipe is important to them, as well as how Yeovil has become their home. Designed by international artist Lisa Cheung, with illustrations from Yeovil College Students and featuring recipes from across the generations, this piece of work captures stories of food culture in our community over time.

A friendly and sociable evening with food and fun on 8 March 2024 with Q&A with recipe book participants.

Our wonderful Story of Yeovil Community Curatorial Group have been busy and further heritage displays inspired by the Taste of Yeovil will appear at Yeovil Library and the Ninesprings Cafe with the title ‘Welcome To Our Table’. The group have been exploring the 5 P’s of the food industry; Producing, Preparing/Preserving, Presenting, Partaking and Purchasing will curate objects that reflect Yeovil’s food industry and its place in the community.

The group have played an important part in bringing community input into the Story of Yeovil project and with the support of the Dr Rose Wallis and Dr Laura Harrison from the University of the West of England and the Joseph Lewis at the South Somerset Heritage Collection have curated some fascinating exhibitions unearthing stories from Yeovil’s past.