Hackney's Low Carbon Banquet

Join us for Hackney’s Low Carbon Banquet, a one-of-a-kind communal feast for 100 people where food, culture, and climate action come together.

On 7 November 2025 at Hackney Town Hall, you’ll share a table with others to enjoy a delicious menu of low carbon Chinese dishes created with chefs, food writers, scientists and UK-based East & Southeast Asian communities.

Alongside the food, you’ll discover the cultural stories behind the ingredients, explore how our food systems shape the climate and take part in a playful, interactive journey into how we can all eat and act more sustainably. The evening is more than a meal, it’s an artwork you’ll help bring to life, blending flavours, science and conversation.

The banquet is part of Low Carbon Chinatown, an award-winning project by artist Ling Tan, which reimagines “authentic” food culture in sustainable ways that spark joy and connection. The project also features the exhibition Harvesting Climate Action at Hackney Service Centre (1 Oct – 6 Nov).

Whether you love food, care about the planet, or are curious about art and community, this event is for you. Come, take a seat, and be one of 100 voices shaping a shared future, one meal, one story, one action at a time.

📍 Hackney Town Hall, London

📅 7 November 2025

🕕 6:00 – 8:30pm

Access

• This event is open to everyone aged 16+ who lives or works in Hackney, and we welcome people of all backgrounds.
• No previous knowledge of climate issues is needed - just curiosity and an open mind.
• Hackney Town Hall is fully wheelchair accessible.

If you have any questions about access, please contact greenerhackney@hackney.gov.uk

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Menu

Autumn Sweet and Sour ‘Pork’ (Vegan)

A seasonal twist on a classic favourite, made with Hackney’s local produce – no one misses pork once they taste this!

*Contains gluten and allergens such as soy, sesame and mustard

Wonton Dumpling Soup (Vegetarian)

Who doesn’t love dumplings?

*Contains gluten and allergens such as soy, eggs

Mapo Tofu (Vegan)

A low carbon take on the classic Sichuan dish, bold, spicy, and comforting.

*Contains gluten and allergens such as soy, mustard, sesame

Hainanese Chicken Rice

A low carbon interpretation of a perennial favourite Asian dish – with chicken still included. Served with a side of pickled cucumber, grown locally and made by students from Gainsborough Primary School.

*Contains allergens such as soy

Accompanied with a choice of white rice and/or chicken rice.

Water will be provided. This is a communal meal.

Apologies, but we are unable to cater for specific dietary requests.

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Don’t miss out the Exhibition: Harvesting Climate Action

The Low Carbon Banquet is preceded by a six-week exhibition that transforms Hackney Service Centre (1 Oct–6 Nov) into an interactive space for climate action, centred on 100 recyclable stools, each representing a climate action and a member of the public. Through a multimedia installation on the food system and collaborative input from residents and experts, it explores how 100 people and 100 actions can shape our collective future.

Hackney’s Low Carbon Chinatown is a project by Ling Tan, supported by the Climate Team in Hackney Council and public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, delivered in partnership with Growing Communities, Gainsborough Primary School and MadLeap.