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 call Family Meals. These meals are inspired by the cultural heritage of our staff and apprentices through the years. When we have an apprentice cohort in session, we task them with creating a meal as a group or individual project.
Family Meals are available every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month, with pick up locations in Kent, Tacoma, South Seattle, West Seattle, North Seattle, and Lynnwood. Online ordering will open two weeks in advance, and we will announce the menu in our email newsletter and social media.
Culinary Conversations:
English Practice Series
We are now hosting English practice meetups focused on professional culinary vocabulary and conversation. Improve your language skills, meet new people, build community, and share food cultures and recipes. Each series will last 8 weeks, with weekly meetings hosted at Project Feast for 2 hours. The day and time of the week will change each quarter to accommodate a diversity of schedules. Our next Culinary Conversation series will be held on Tuesdays, 1:30 – 3:30 pm, April 22 – June 10.
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
