Remember Billy, Leon and Sam, AKA the Shaanti Collective, who set up a supper club in Norwich to fund their travels? Well, they’re back! Ahead of a sold out event, they explain how the club will be even bigger and better than before
Can you remind readers who you all are and what you do?
We are Shaanti Collective, and we aim to unite communities through life’s most joyous pleasures, food and music.
We last featured you and your supper club in April 2023 when you were planning to travel around Southeast Asia and Australia, learning a few culinary skills as you went along. Did it all go to plan?
Indeed, it did! As a three we covered nine different countries in the space of six months, absorbing the people, culture, flavours, techniques and knowledge we were exposed to. Learning about new cuisines was our focus, but when you find yourself in such eye-opening environments sometimes you find yourself not evening noticing the food and just observing these beautiful ways of life.
Any highlights of the trip you’d like to share?
A memory we will never forget is riding out into the dessert of Rajasthan, to the home of two men we met early that day in the town nearby. We shared stories and laughs, played with the children but most touching part was having the most delicious mutton curry with roti. It was mind blowing because these people had nothing, and they still invited us back to eat a meal that they provided, with their family.
So, what is the plan now you’re back? The supper club is going to be back up and running but will a slightly different aim this time?
We’re aiming to run a series of supper clubs and events this year, donating the profits to a different charity each time.
When’s the first one and how can people get involved? You’re planning to grow the collective?
We’re starting off with a Supper Club at Lupa Pizza on the 17th of Feb guided by a vinyl music selection (THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT). And yes, we’re expanding from just us three – we now have our friends helping with cooking, photography, graphics. As it’s for charity people are offering a helping hand, that we accept graciously every time! In doing so we can sell more tickets and raise more money.
What is the ultimate dream?
We aren’t too sure what exactly lies ahead for Shaanti, but it will always be our aim to bring joy to communities using what we love, food and music. Shaanti’s are going to be healthy, comfy, fly, well sound tracked get-togethers which hopefully always remind people to eat, dance, and love.
The Shaanti Collective Supper Club at Lupa Pizza on Monday February 17, 2025, with all proceeds going to the Precilla Bacon Lodge Charity, is SOLD OUT but follow on Instagram for future dates.
Featured image of (left to right) Billy, Leon and Sam pictured near Pokhara, Nepal on the Mardi Himal trail.
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