Toko Talks
Chef and food activist Lelani Lewis teams up with chefs, cookbook authors, and other food lovers to explore the cultural meaning of the toko – and treats you to a snack. Every second Thursday of the month at Plein.
The language of this event is English.
History on a Plate: what a dish can tell us about survival and creativity
Many beloved dishes come from times when people had little. Place a dish in its historical context, and you’ll discover stories about the land, the times, and the people. It shows us how our ancestors made the most of what they had, turning the simplest ingredients into something extraordinary.
In this edition of Toko Talks, Lenani Lewis invites Mahvish Ahmed and Raghenie Bhawanie. Together, they explore how food can teach us about the past, start conversations today, and celebrate the people who came before us - while enjoying a Pakora with yoghurt sauce as a snack.
Mahvish Ahmed is passionate about telling stories of female empowerment, motherhood, healing, and connection. She is the author of On My Way and the founder of a women’s travel company that creates safe spaces for reflection and friendship across Europe. At Fenix, she shares human stories of migration - a topic she holds close to her heart. For her, migration is not political, but deeply human: a journey of courage, identity, and belonging.
Raghenie Bhawanie is a culinary journalist, columnist, and cookbook author. Growing up in a Hindustani family, the Surinamese kitchen -shaped by influences from India, Asia, Africa, and China - played a cnetral role. In 2024, she published her debut cookbook Madame Jeanette, featuring over a hundred accessible Surinamese recipes. In addition to her work as a writer and recipe developer, Raghenie is also a program maker, using food as a powerful tool for storytelling and connection.
About Toko Talks
The toko is more than a back-up when the supermarket falls short. For many, it’s a place that feels like home – where flavours evoke memories, cultures meet, generations connect, and communities claim space. In conversations with food lovers and experts, Lelani Lewis explores how food is deeply tied to identity, and how migrant cuisines continue to shape the flavours of a city.
© Bas Czerwinski
About Lelani Lewis
Lelani Lewis is a chef, food stylist and culinary activist. She is dedicated to giving Caribbean cuisine a rightful place in today’s kitchen.
Raised in South London with Grenadian and Irish roots, Lelani blends tradition with innovation. Through her pop-up restaurant and catering company Nyam (Jamaican slang for ‘food’), she makes Caribbean food visible and accessible.
Her work explores the stories behind food – and how those stories shape who we are.
© Bas Czerwinski