A Cardiff restaurant has raised more than £3,300 for Food Cardiff after bringing together a room full of women for a special International Women’s Day networking event and raffle which included prizes donated by other local businesses.
Hosted by Parallel – part of the Pasture restaurant group – the afternoon was designed as a chance to celebrate women supporting women – creating space for conversation, connection and community, while also raising vital funds to make Cardiff’s food system healthier, fairer and more sustainable.
Set on High Street, on the corner of High Street Arcade, Parallel is known for its immersive dining experience, centred around an open kitchen and live fire cookery. The restaurant shares the wider group’s values-led approach, making its support for Food Cardiff a natural fit.
The fundraiser also builds on an existing relationship between Food Cardiff and the Pasture group. In 2023, Food Cardiff shared the news that the group had become the first independent Welsh restaurant business to achieve a top three-star rating from the Sustainable Restaurant Association, recognising its work around sourcing, society and environmental practice.
Food Cardiff coordinator Lucinda Jones said:
“This was a special event, and the shared sense of generosity and collaboration is closely aligned with Food Cardiff’s wider mission: bringing people together around good food and using food as a tool to strengthen communities across the city.
“We are very grateful to the Parallel team, and all the women who attended, for their support.”
The Parallel team said:
“It was such a pleasure to host our second International Women’s Day event at Parallel, bringing together an incredible group of women from across Cardiff to celebrate and connect. We were especially proud to support Food Cardiff this year, an organisation whose commitment to building a fairer, more sustainable food system in our city aligns so closely with our own values. Here’s to the power of community – and the brilliant women shaping Cardiff.”
At a time when independent hospitality businesses are under growing pressure, it is always worth celebrating the restaurants that continue to use their platforms in meaningful ways. By turning an International Women’s Day event into something that not only championed connection but also delivered tangible support for a city-wide food partnership, the Parallel team showed how hospitality can create impact well beyond the table.
For Food Cardiff, the funds raised will help support our ongoing work across the city.
