Maxim de Heer studied Cultural Heritage and Sociology. During the latter he researched the relationship between food, cultural identity, and migration among migrant communities while working in a NGO/restaurant in Palermo, Sicily. Alongside his current work addressing loneliness in the municipality of Diemen, he provides catering for cultural projects and events, interweaving his research on the socio-cultural aspects of food. He is currently working on a documentary about food culture and migration in Sicily.
At the end of the first day of TCZ training in Amsterdam, Maxim designed a very special dinner around the concept of commensality – eating together as a way to explore contact zones, bring people closer, and create an informal space for dialogue.
Artist Maxim de Heer prepared a three-course meal, each dish reflecting stories of identity, migration, and connection:
- Borscht: recipe shared with his mother during the isolation of Covid, touching on themes of heritage and the war in Ukraine.
- Gambian rice dish: inspired by his time in Palermo, highlighting food as a way for migrants and refugees to find belonging and community.
- Danish rice pudding: a playful dessert that brought everyone together through a traditional sharing game.
The evening was a powerful reminder of how food can spark conversations about culture, memory, and togetherness shaped within Module 3 of the TCZ curriculum Tensions and Opportunities in Cultural Heritage.
