At Project Feast, we cultivate a nurturing space for refugees and immigrants, while providing culinary training that equips them for careers or entrepreneurship in the food industry. We empower our students to share their diverse stories and cuisine, fostering intercultural exchange that enriches and unites our community.
Our Vision & Philosophy
Training
The Culinary Skills Apprentice Program combines classroom, kitchen, and ESL lessons to prepare English Language Learners for a good job in a food business or to start their own food business.
Community Meals
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in late March 2020, Project Feast pivoted our services to providing food assistance to immigrant and refugee families and seniors. By the end of 2020, we had prepared over 10,000 meals. We are continuing to provide these meals through local organizations.
Catering
We offer catering to the Greater Seattle area. Our catering highlights recipes developed by staff and apprentices over the years and spans different cultures. We will work with you to create a menu appropriate for your guests.
Family Meals Takeout
During the pandemic, while our cafe was closed for lunch service, we pivoted to a pre-order takeout program we fondly called Family Meals. These meals were inspired by the cultural heritage of our staff and apprentices through the years. When we had an apprentice cohort in session, we tasked them with creating a meal as a group or individual project. With our cafe scheduled to re-open in February, we will be decreasing the number of Family Meals we offer. However, we do hope to continue these by featuring dishes that our apprentices develop for cafe. When available, we will announce the menu in our email newsletters and social media.
Ubuntu Street Café
Ubuntu Street Café is set to re-open for lunch service on February 15th! We will offer lunch from 11:30 – 1:30, Thursdays and Fridays. The Café gives Project Feast apprentices real-life experience to learn and cultivate their culinary and customer service skills while operating our cafe.
Our Impact
graduates and counting!
job placement within 3 months of graduating
of graduates have launched their own food business
THE STORIES BEHIND THE NUMBERS, WHAT REALLY MATTERS TO US…
Beyond the metrics, our goal is to instill a sense of confidence and agency in our apprentices, as well as, a sense of ubuntu in our community. We aspire to hear personal growth experiences similar to Project Feast alumna, Taghreed Ibrahim’s:
“I was thinking I’m alone here and it’s only me having these fears and struggles in the new country. But at Project Feast, we support each other talking one language, which is simply just food. I’m a confident woman and know what my next step will be…because of Project Feast’s support.”
We strive to bridge communities through food and meaningful conversation and connections. As former Board President and alumna Jacqueline Garcia expressed:
“Project Feast for me is a window to diversity with a feeling of compassion, solidarity, and respect.”
As Seen In…
Cooking Ubuntu: Celebrating Our Food, Our People
ABOUT THE PROJECT: Immigrants and refugees are a growing part of King County’s culture and industry, and nearly a third of the residents in Kent – Project Feast’s hometown – were born outside the U.S. Through Cooking Ubuntu, we celebrate their contributions to our community’s culinary heritage. This project brings together the recipes and stories of Project Feast alumni, staff and collaborators who are enriching the food experience for all of us in King County.
“Ubuntu” means the bond of sharing that connects humanity, and it’s something we see at Project Feast every day through the sharing of meals, expertise and cultural exchange. Each month, we highlight a member of the Project Feast family—alumni, apprentices and staff—people who have helped us along the way. By collecting and sharing these recipes and stories, we celebrate these individuals, give a voice to their experiences—and hope to cultivate ubuntu in our larger community.
Cooking Ubuntu was made possible with a grant from 4Culture, the cultural funding agency for King County. Project interviews and writing by Denise Clifton of Tandemvines Media.
Our Partners
