At The Living Room (TLR) coworking in Málaga, community is at the heart of everything. Recently, the TLR Family came together for a special evening on the rooftop, hosting an International Family Dinner that celebrated diversity, delicious food, and connection. This potluck-style event encouraged members to share a dish from their home country, bringing a little piece of their heritage to the table.
A Feast of Global Flavors
The rooftop of TLR – often a sunny escape during the workday – was transformed into a cozy dinner setting for the event. Members and their guests gathered around tables laden with dishes from around the world. From the aromatic lasagnas of Italy to the flavorful empanadas of Argentina, the evening was a culinary tour of the globe.
Small placards were placed in front of each dish, detailing the ingredients and any allergens, ensuring everyone could enjoy the feast safely.
For Carmen, TLR’s new Community Manager, this was a particularly meaningful evening. As one of her first big events since joining the team, she was a little anxious about what to contribute.
“I did not know what food to bring to represent Málaga or Spain that was easy to eat and make for many people,” she shared.
After some thought (and a little advice from her parents), Carmen chose to prepare anchovies in vinegar and gazpacho, knowing that the quintessential tortilla de patatas would surely make an appearance. Her selection fit perfectly with the diverse offerings, each dish representing the love and care members put into sharing their cultures.
Bringing Cultures (and People) Together
The atmosphere was vibrant, with everyone eager to dive into the buffet. But before the feast began, a few members took the mic to share stories behind their dishes, giving the gathering a personal touch.
“It was very nice to see the effort everybody put in to bring something,” recalls Carmen.
She recalls that one member went above and beyond to prepare macarons from scratch, despite a few kitchen setbacks, while another made mochis, an Asian dessert. Carmen said the wide variety provided “truly unique gastronomic experiences”.
“Another thing I loved about this event was the possibility to try typical meals from different places without moving from my city, that was something really cool,” said Carmen.
For TLR Family member Finn, the dinner was not just about the food, but also about reconnecting.
“I’m a regular to TLR and I brought my girlfriend, Marinna, and she reconnected with a former coworker who she had been really good friends with but hadn’t seen in a year or two. And the friend was also a plus one!” he said.
Fellow TLR Family member Anna agreed, saying connection has always formed a big part of TLR events.
“In TLR it doesn’t matter if you know the person or not, there’s always a nice family vibe,” she said.
“I liked the dinner because it meant sharing a lot of different cultures through the food. People are asking what is it, where is it from… and it’s really nice to share your country through the food with people from other countries.”
In Anna’s case, she brought a traditional Ukranian dish called varenyky – dough stuffed with various fillings like meat, potato, and cabbage, and served with sour cream.
A Night of Friendship and Fun
As the evening progressed, the laughter grew louder, the conversations more animated, and the vibe increasingly relaxed. After dinner, people sprawled out on the rooftop’s artificial grass, playing cards, sharing stories, and simply enjoying each other’s company. As Carmen noted, it was “a real summer night with good food, music, and friends.”
The night even ended with fireworks – released by the city of Málaga to mark the Feria which was taking place that same day.
Joanna, another TLR Family member, perfectly summed up the feeling of the evening: “I loved that it was on the rooftop, the vibe was great, the night was warm, and the people were awesome.”
With members representing more than 30 nationalities, events like the International Family Dinner bring the essence of TLR to life – a coworking space where people from all over the world can come together, not just to work but to share experiences, food, and friendships.
Ben, TLR’s owner, later shared his thoughts: “Members went all in cooking up the most special receipts from all over the world for everyone to try… A huge thank you to all of you for putting in so much effort making this gathering a beautiful moment to remember. Let’s do it again soon!”
Looking Forward to the Next Gathering
The International Family Dinner was more than just a meal – it was a celebration of the TLR Family and the bonds that make this coworking space unique. From the global feast to the lively conversations that carried on late into the night, the evening was one to remember.
“Beyond the food, I remember it was a very nice time to talk with colleagues and members, to get to know other cultures, other lifestyles,” recalled Carmen.
“What I could understand that day was the reason for the concept ‘TLR Family’.”
With full hearts and even fuller stomachs, everyone left the rooftop eager for the next event. At TLR, the tradition of community building continues – one delicious dish at a time.
* What will the next TGIF event bring? TLR Family members will find out very soon! If you would like to join the next TLR event, check out our various subscription offerings here: https://tlr-coworking.com/subscriptions/. Our ‘Friend’ subscription, for example, is only €50/month and includes access to all TLR events and social gatherings, including the monthly TGIF!
