ABOUT US
ACA founder Koloud ‘Kay’ Tarapolsi began Cook With… A Refugee after COVID-19 cancelled a Moroccan culinary tour she was to lead. She sought another outlet to educate about her culture and created it in her private Bellevue studio. She then invited friends to share an intimate meal, prepared with a local refugee.
Old and new friends have since been introduced to fragrant spices, colorful vegetables, and delicious meats to create a vibrant lunch. Resources are provided on how to replicate the feast at home. Culinary adventurers are familiarized with ‘nafas,’ Arabic for ‘soul’ or ‘breath,’ the main ingredient in all Arab recipes.
So far, culinary voyagers have traveled to Egypt, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Yemen, and Libya. Lunch often includes mint tea, extended family, desserts, stories from home, babies on hips, and shared laughter. More than once, the Arab refugee chefs spoke little to no English.
Due to the hard work of our staff and the patronage of our skilled students, Cook With… A Refugee has generated close to five thousand dollars, directly donated into the industrious hands of the refugee chefs.
