Chefs Club

Chefs Club is an entrepreneurship program of the Refugee Women’s Network that empowers refugee and immigrant chefs to turn their culinary talents into sustainable businesses. Through cooking classes, catering opportunities, product sales, and business development support, the program helps participants build skills, expand their networks, and achieve economic self-sufficiency while sharing their rich cultural traditions with the community.

In the past twenty years of serving the refugee and immigrant community, RWN has identified that these New Americans are enthusiastic and hopeful to start building their new lives in their new homes. However, they’re under tremendous pressure to adapt quickly and face overwhelming challenges to self-sufficiency.

But they have this valuable asset - their vast knowledge of cooking age-old recipes and cooking techniques. Many of them are accomplished chefs and share keen interest in venturing into the food business. They just need an opportunity to test their culinary skills and community to build connections across demographic divides.

Chefs Club was able to give these talented and accomplished Chefs a platform to present their cuisine to the public, and take their first step in the food industry. Gain exposure without any overhead cost. Strengthen their craft and boost confidence. Generate income for their family. Promote cultural exchange, enriching the community at large and building ties across the demographic divide.

To adjust the program in response to COVID-19, Chefs Club will be going virtual. On a monthly basis, we’ll have different refugee and immigrant chefs showcase recipes from their home countries, streamed live from their new homes. This will be an opportunity to connect with chefs, and learn about their cultures in such a barrier-dividing manner. The session will also be recorded and uploaded within 24-hours for access to all registered attendees for future reference.