Collaborative Kitchen Initiative

The Collaborative Kitchen

Sharing Culture, Nourishing Community, and Restoring Dignity

At Eden’s Rose Foundation, we believe in the power of food to connect people, share stories, and create opportunity. Our Collaborative Kitchen project was born from this belief—and from a chance encounter with a group of newly arrived asylum seekers from Venezuela.

These brave individuals fled violence and political instability in their home country, walking thousands of miles to the U.S. in search of safety, democracy, and hope. Instead of being welcomed, they were bussed from state to state—Texas to Massachusetts to New York City—before finally arriving in Albany, where they were abandoned with no resources, no housing, and no support.

Despite these hardships, they did not ask for handouts. They asked for a chance.

From Survival to Self-Reliance

At our weekly Produce Pickup Project, we met a small group of these resilient refugees. Two of them are professional chefs with a deep passion for sharing their culinary heritage. Inspired by their determination and talent, we opened the doors of our Community Center Kitchen at 498 First Street for the very first Collaborative Kitchen event in June 2023.

The idea is simple and powerful:

• Refugee and asylum-seeking chefs share traditional dishes from their homeland
  
• Meals are sold to the community by donation or a suggested plate price
  
• 100% of the proceeds go directly to the chefs and their families
  
• The project builds economic opportunity, cultural exchange, and local solidarity
  

Real Food, Real Impact

The pilot event was a beautiful success, with lines out the door and a table full of South American flavors that nourished more than just appetites. It nourished hope. Every plate sold helped our guest chefs take one step closer to stability, dignity, and belonging.

What’s Next

With growing interest and support, we’re working to expand the Collaborative Kitchen as a recurring program. Our long-term vision is to help participating chefs:

• Open a permanent, worker-owned community restaurant
  
• Gain training in language, business skills, and food safety certifications
  
• Access housing, legal support, and job placement resources
  

This project isn’t just about food—it’s about people. About second chances. About reclaiming the right to work, to contribute, and to thrive.

Join the Movement

Here’s how you can help:

• Sponsor an upcoming Collaborative Kitchen event
  
• Donate food, supplies, or funds to support our refugee chefs
  
• Volunteer or help spread the word
  
• Partner with us to renovate a vacant space into a refugee-run kitchen
  

Together, we can transform hardship into healing—one meal at a time.📍 Albany, NY
📞 (518) 227-1568