Sunga isn’t 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 £5 to munch and meet. Usually 25 to 35 people come along. “Food breaks the ice straight away,” Joshua says. “No awkward intros, no pressure. People rock up solo all the time and end up chatting for hours. We’ve seen friendships form and pub trips happen afterwards. It’s just easy. And I think that’s what people want, a place where you don’t have to ‘know someone’ to be there.” Joshua says the key to her events is they aren’t “over produced”. They meet somewhere low-key like a park, bring a blanket, and enjoy what’s on offer. “It’s meant to feel like something your mate invited you to on a Saturday,” 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 she’s exposed to at work. “Fitness and running clubs are great, but they’re not for everyone (and definitely not me). Food felt like a leveller. Everyone eats. Everyone’s welcome.”
