Thom Eagle

18 June 2026
5pm – 8pm
Open School East

As part of Open School East’s 2026 Summer Exhibition, two older members of Despacito Art School worked with Chef Thom Eagle to make and serve canapes spotlighting produce grown in OSE’s Community Allotment planters (rhubarb, tomatoes, carrots, dill, sage, spring onions). They also worked with ‘waste’ produce sourced by OSE’s Community Gardener Aaron McKay (rosemary, elderflower).

This pop-up was part of our wider work to offer training pathways for young people coming out of Despacito (12+), as well as to equip them with the skills and knowledge to make their own affordable and nutritious food. 

Canapes included: sauerkraut dressed with rosemary oil, spiced pickled beetroot, dilly beans and elderflower cordial. All canapes were prepared by Despacito with Thom at The Perfect Place to Grow, who kindly shared their kitchen, equipment and knowledge.

OSE’s Community Allotment planters are generously hosted by Civic Partner Ethel-Athel Alleway Garden, and maintained by OSE Community Gardener Aaron McKay with support from local resident H. 

Thom Eagle is an award-winning author and cook. His first book First, Catch: Study of a Spring Meal was awarded Best Debut Food Book by Fortnum & Mason in 2019, nominated for an Andre Simon, and named one of the best food books of the year by The Times and The BBC Food Programme. He is currently based in Kent where he writes, grows vegetables, and teaches classes on pickling, fermenting, curing and foraging. 

This Civic Programme event is part of OSE’s two-year thematic cycle Home is where the garden is – find more events: https://openschooleast.org/home-is-civic