Nepali Team in Action!

Chef Jeff Bacon welcomed the Nepali team to his Triad Community Kitchen located within the Second Harvest Food Bank in Winston-Salem.

 

Chef Pam was there to help the team.

Chef Harry (correct me if I got this wrong!) and Roshan Shrestra, leader of the awesome Nepali team. Narayan Khadka of Senior Resources of Guilford got me in touch with Roshan and explained to me that he was completing his degree from GTCC's culinary program.

Roshan met the day before with Nepali refugee women who came to see the kitchen. He explained that he would help them learn about what it would be like to work in a professional kitchen. While he is not a refugee, as an immigrant who has has made this country his permanent home he understands the struggles and challenges of newcomers. He said he would hold them to the high standards he had learned from his restaurant experience in Katmandu, Singapore and other places. Roshan explained that he and Chef Bacon met earlier on to discuss some ideas that combined Nepali and American tastes.

Handwashing! Hari and Ganga practice English while in Chef Jeff's kitchen.

Next, put on your apron! Learning American practices was new but came quickly.

Inspecting the purple sweet potato. A white variety is found in Nepal.

Learning to peel.

A cutting demonstration.

Ganga, Hari and Devi at work. As they worked, they practiced technique and new English words. Learning research points to the success of learning by doing over the traditional classroom setting.

Picking cilantro leaves.

Adding chopped walnuts.

Roshan and Theme prepare purple sweet potato dessert.

Chef Jeff Bacon's incredible friendliness and interest in supporting this project enriched everyone's experience. His staff was warm and welcoming to everyone on the Nepali team.

A discussion about texture. Throughout our experience, the atmosphere was serious but punctuated with good humor. If they were not sure, the women were expected to ask for clarification. Everyone was committed to a common objective regardless of their language abilities or skill level.

Although this food is known to the women, Roshan gives them precise instructions for best results.

Ganga came to Greensboro early in 2010. Devi came about two years ago. Hari arrived two months ago. All attend English class.

Everyone is engaged. The team worked steadily for three hours.

Ah, so that's what they're making! Purple sweet potato filled singara. Roshan explains such a dish is known throughout Asia.

Roshan inspired the women to work hard, practice English while learning, and take advantage of unique learning opportunities such as today's kitchen experience.

Roshan and Chef Jeff tell them to arrive at 11:00 Saturday morning so they can complete their dishes.

As we drove home to Greensboro, the women were tired but excited by this new form of direct learning. They ask if there could be more opportunities like this for them to learn. I hope this project opens more doors and leads to more collaborative projects, not just between newcomers and Americans, but among individuals and businesses in the community who can connect with one another, experience firsthand the nature and extent of newcomers' challenges and skills, and finds ways of meaningful engagement. 

My hope is not to displace or disrupt current refugee policies and delivery of services, but to enhance learning opportunities by creating alternate forums for Americans and newcomers to interact with one another.