An opportunity to connect and learn about different cultures through a shared meal is the inspiration behind Edible San Luis Obispo’s Immigrant Dinner Series. For the second year in a row, the highly successful event will feature three chefs of varying backgrounds.

Magazine Publisher Gail Cayetano-Classick dreamed up the idea for ‘Use My Kitchen, Tell Your Story’ after reading an article called New Arrivals Supper Club in the LA Times a few years ago. The article described how dinners hosted in homes across Los Angeles featured meals prepared by recent refugees. The dinners gave the refugees the opportunity to earn money, while also allowing them to reconnect with home through serving their beloved dishes. 

“Reading this brought back memories of my parents, who immigrated to the United States from the Philippines when they were in their 20s,” says Gail. “Growing up, it was so evident to me that they never felt quite comfortable living in the United States unless they were around fellow Filipinos, or if they were sharing a Filipino meal with someone. Witnessing this firsthand has created a soft spot in me for anyone who has immigrated to the U.S.” Gail goes on to say that she believes there’s a great deal to be learned from a person who has left home for the opportunity of a better life and all the sacrifices that come with that decision.

At each dinner, the chef prepares plates that carry special meaning to them. Upon serving the meal, the chef shares with guests his or her story and the significance of food to their culture. The experience prompts meaningful, intimate discussion among guests who get to see a new world through the lens of food. 

“The response has been amazing. We’ve had countless individuals, restaurants and wineries offer the use of their kitchens at no cost to these immigrant chefs. And we have these amazing, inspiring, beautiful chefs who so willingly get up in front of each dinner crowd and tell their stories from childhood up through adulthood; these memories conjured up by the foods they’ve prepared and share,” says Gail. “And the dinner guests! It always turns out to be the most welcoming, grateful group of dinner guests. It’s a really beautiful process to witness. 

This year’s series features three chefs:

Singaporean dinner by Emily Lim at Frunchroom with ONX wines on Aug. 9.

Emily arrived in the U.S. from Singapore in 2014. Armed with her undying love for the hustle, long-term commitment to heritage foods and food culture, and a desire to build cultural bridges, she grasped at what was missing in San Francisco – authentic Singaporean hawker foods.

Argentine dinner by Pablo Lamon at Hartley Farms with Brecon Estate Wines on Sept. 6. 

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pablo began his culinary journey at age 18 and entered the public eye through Bravo’s Top Chef. With a deep background in high-end dining, Pablo now leads his catering company in Miami and serves as a culinary consultant in Turks and Caicos

Ethiopian dinner by Helen Abraha at Thomas Hill Organics with Law Estate Wines on Oct. 3.

Helen immigrated to the states in 1992 when she was 17 years old, leaving her home country of Ethiopia due to political unrest there at the time. Now, she is Head Chef of popular local, family-run Ethiopian restaurant, Ebony.

Last year’s Immigrant Dinner Series sold out. Read more about that experience and what chefs had to say, check out the photo gallery, and buy tickets.

“I feel fortunate to be in a position leading the magazine,” says Gail. “It’s opened up a community of people here who love great food, especially food prepared with passion. So, it seemed like a natural move to develop this ‘Use My Kitchen, Tell Your Story’ dinner series here in SLO County, to an audience that was already hungry for these dinners and these events.”