DLT’s ‘The Recipe’ – The ultimate celebration of Love, where everyone feels like a VIP

DLT The Recipe…Where do I even begin? What an absolutely fantastic, and incredible, and wonderful, and amazing day – Wow!

I could end my article here and those that went would know EXACTLY why those words would be enough. On the 6th of July, the team behind Days Like This Brunch blessed us with such an incredible Day Party/Boozy Brunch/ Black Love Festival lineup like no other. 

The event was announced on the 27th of March with Headliner Jazmine Sullivan plastered across our phone screens alongside the amazing Alex Isley and SiR. When people talk about moments that broke the internet, this announcement was definitely one of them. I immediately resolved in my mind that I HAD to attend. 

This year has been incredibly tight on the pocket as the cost of living crisis x recession finally forced us (or just me)  to cut my cloth according to my size. (Good riddance to the tories, the evil you have done is finally enough.)

 After closing my eyes to several other enjoyment opportunities, I decided that on this occasion, I wasn’t going to let poverty keep me in a chokehold. When the tickets were released I remember people shouting on the TL “ How many plates will I eat or drinks will I drink for £200!?.”

Well, let me enjoy the pleasure of telling you. 

I had over 15 portions of food, from pizza, to 3 portions of suya, to wings, to jollof, to fritters, to cheesecake, to burgers, to..(should I continue or it’s enough?) Ok, ok, sorry. Butt yeah I enjoyed a genuinely wonderful array of delicacies washed down with a truly unlimited stream of drinks. Wow. I’ve never felt so rich in my life. (Shallat Black Eats London for curating a truly wonderful array of options)

But I’m jumping ahead sorry. 

Ok, tickets were released and some of the girls in my group chat were umming and awwwing about whether or not they were willing to fork out. Chile, thank God none of us are bound by the spirit of “all or none”, a sub-group chat was speedily created and those of us that knew good things set up our payment plans. (Hey girliess x if you’re reading this jk, love you xx)

The days leading up to The Recipe I was hoping and wishing that we’d have a hot summers day, but in reality, God knew what he was doing. There were so many fine theys, babes and boys in attendance, I think it genuinely would have been tewwwww much if we were all skin out. 

The morning of The Recipe was a wet, grey and muddy mess, leading some festival goers to attend later in the day. BIG MISTAKE.

I was ready by 1pm with my boots and raincoat ready to arrive at 2pm SHARP. If I could have opened the gates for them I genuinely would have. For nearly £200 a ticket? I was hellbent on sampling every single food truck DLT had to offer, and getting there early was the key to my success. 

What a time! I spent the next few hours frolicking to-and-fro across the fields hopping from food tents, to the Wray and Nephew tent, to the DJ tent, and of course our illustrious main stage.

When it came to RnB talent, we were truly spoilt for choice, kicking off the afternoon with the Sultry sounds of Shae’s Universe, followed by Ambré, Tone Stith, Destin Conrad, Alex Isley, SiR and of course Ms Jazmine. 

One of the standout moments for me was when the sun started to set and the paper lanterns began to light up the night sky; pouring our hearts out, we spent the last few hours serenading each other to some of our favourite heartbreak songs. The artists were crying on stage, I cried at some point, and together as a community, we crode x

After spending the last few months out and about for festival season, I can’t lie, attending The Recipe was a very clear insight into the importance of having more festivals ‘For Us, By Us’. Despite there being a VIP tent, I genuinely felt like a VIP the whole way through due to detailed level of detail of curation and cateration. From the Treasure Tress Hair and Beauty tent; to the Podcast stage; to the Festival Pastors who were available on demand for anyone in need – THIS IS WHAT WE NEED. Even the toilets screamed “we know our people” and I’m so grateful for it. 

Black joy is truly an addictive drug and with it comes an incredibly large responsibility to ensure we’re curating experiences that bring out and reflect the best in us. I can’t wait to see how our creative and cultural landscape continues to evolve and mature over the years. With such an incredible kick off to The Recipe, I wonder how they’ll top it next year.

Find out next time on Days Like This Brunch 

Photos by Raheem and DB Captures