Project Feast is a nonprofit organization based in Kent, Washington that is dedicated to empowering refugee and immigrant cooks. Through hands-on culinary training and education, Project Feast prepares these individuals for careers in the food industry and helps them become food entrepreneurs. Their mission is to transform the lives of refugees and immigrants by providing pathways to sustainable employment and enriching communities through intercultural exchange.

Project Feast offers a range of programs and services to achieve their goals. The Culinary Skills Apprentice Program combines classroom, kitchen, and ESL lessons to prepare English Language Learners for jobs in the food business or to start their own food business. Additionally, Project Feast has pivoted their services during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide food assistance to immigrant and refugee families and seniors, preparing over 10,000 meals in 2020 alone.

The organization also operates Ubuntu Street Café and Catering, which currently provides weekly Family Meals to Go. These meals are inspired by the apprentices and can be ordered for pick-up at various locations. In the future, Project Feast aims to re-open Ubuntu Street Café, where their apprentices can gain real-life experience and develop their culinary and customer service skills.

Furthermore, Project Feast hosts events, such as an annual fundraiser, and strives to bridge communities through food and meaningful conversation. They have made a significant impact, with 70 graduates and 80 job placements within 3 months of graduation. 25 graduates have even launched their own food businesses.

Beyond the numbers, Project Feast's true goal is to instill confidence, agency, and a sense of ubuntu (the bond of sharing that connects humanity) in their apprentices and the larger community. They celebrate the contributions of immigrants and refugees to the culinary heritage of King County through their Cooking Ubuntu project, which shares recipes and stories from Project Feast alumni, staff, and collaborators. In conclusion, Project Feast is a remarkable nonprofit organization that not only provides culinary training and education but also fosters intercultural exchange and empowerment.

They are making a difference in the lives of refugees and immigrants while enriching the community through the power of food