There are no Filipino restaurants in Cambridge. Kuya's catering is currently operating from a small stall in Ely; the owner has had to make several trips into Cambridge himself in order to meet the demands of his ever growing clientèle because local food delivery companies cannot accommodate the distance. This has been an onerous task for Kuya's Catering and a great disappointment to those of us who wait eagerly for the comforting taste of his home-cooked meals after a long shift at work.

Throughout the United Kingdom, the Filipino community has become the backbone of the NHS. There is a vibrant Filipino community in Cambridge. Many Filipino expats work at Addenbrookes Hospital, providing indispensable services as specialist nurses, medical technicians, and sanitary custodians. There are also a significant number of Filipinos working as caregivers to the elderly and disabled, and providing valuable help to local families as housekeepers and nannies.

The Filipino expat community is large; many families have grown and established themselves permanently in Cambridge and its surrounding areas. An important part of acknowledging our presence and contribution to society is to provide us with an outlet to celebrate our culture. Food is the most joyful way to share one's culture and to satisfy nostalgia for those who now live thousands of miles away from their native land. For this reason, we submit this petition to Cambridge City Council to ask that Kuya's Catering be given permission to set up a food stall in Cambridge Market.

A food stall at Cambridge City Market would allow Kuya's Catering to reach the needs of their expanding customer base more easily. Filipino cuisine is in demand by those who grew up with it, those who have been exposed to it through family and friends, and those foodies who are curious for something out of the ordinary. Kuya's Catering offers a food selection that highlights the Spanish and Chinese influences on Filipino Indigenous cuisine. Including Kuya's Catering in Cambridge City Market would be a step forward to marking our city as a true beacon of diversity. Making space for an often overlooked but thriving Asian community is crucial to stimulating our economy.

Thank you!