This summer, Westminster Abbey’s Cellarium Café & Terrace is celebrating the rich, diverse food traditions of the Commonwealth with a brand-new initiative: the Commonwealth Special Dish competition.
Launching on Sunday 9 February, the competition invites members of the public to submit their favourite recipe or dish from any Commonwealth country, along with a short personal story explaining why it holds special meaning. The winning dish will be added to a limited-edition Commonwealth menu, served at the Cellarium throughout the summer months.
A Celebration of Commonwealth Culture Through Food
Westminster Abbey has long-standing ties to the Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 56 independent nations connected by shared history and a commitment to democracy, peace and development. Each year, the Abbey hosts the annual Commonwealth Day service, making the Cellarium’s new culinary project a natural extension of this relationship.
From Trinidadian doubles stuffed with spiced chickpeas, to Sri Lankan wattalapam, a coconut and jaggery custard, Malaysian laksa fragrant with lemongrass and chilli, South African bobotie topped with golden baked egg, Fijian cassava cake, and Kenyan sukuma wiki, the competition encourages creativity, authenticity and storytelling.
Participants are invited to submit dishes that reflect their own heritage, memories or connections, highlighting the extraordinary breadth of flavours found across the Commonwealth.
Winning Dish to Feature on Westminster Abbey’s Summer Menu
The winning entry will be added to the Cellarium Café & Terrace’s Commonwealth menu, available throughout the summer, giving diners the chance to experience a global journey of flavours in one of London’s most historic settings.
The winner will also receive a £200 Cellarium voucher, allowing them to enjoy their dish at Westminster Abbey alongside friends or family. Entries will be judged on both flavour and story, celebrating the cultural and personal significance behind each recipe.
Set within the Abbey’s historic Cellarium, with its striking glass ceiling and views of ancient stonework, the menu aims to honour both the unity and diversity of the Commonwealth.
“Food has a unique power to tell stories, connect cultures, and bring people together,” said Lorraine Rossdale, Head of Ceremonial, Events and Marketing at Westminster Abbey. “This competition reflects the Abbey’s long-standing tradition as a place of worship, celebration and commemoration with enduring links to the nations of the Commonwealth.”
How to Enter the Commonwealth Special Dish Competition
Submissions open on Monday 9 February and close on Monday 2 March, with the winning dish announced on Monday 9 March. The competition offers a rare opportunity for food lovers across the UK to see their favourite Commonwealth dish celebrated at one of London’s most iconic landmarks.
To enter, submit your recipe and story via the official competition page: Enter the Commonwealth Special Dish competition
For those keen to experience the menu in person, the Cellarium Café & Terrace at Westminster Abbey is open daily. Reserve a table at Cellarium, Westminster Abbey
Find Out More
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Westminster Abbey: https://www.westminster-abbey.org
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Benugo: https://www.benugo.com
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Instagram: @BenugoUK
