© UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis
On the occasion of World Refugee Day, the Cooking #WithRefugees Festival is coming back to the city of Athens from 18 to 22 June, introducing new gastronomic experiences and showcasing the power of inclusion. Greek and refugee chefs will team up in four restaurants to serve favourite dishes and fusion proposals inspired by Syrian, Afghan, Ukrainian and Cameroonian cuisine, for a special Festival organized by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and partners.
Through the universal language of food, this year’s edition seeks to shine a spotlight on the skills and talents of refugees and demonstrate that refugee integration is the most impactful way to support them restart their lives and actively contribute to their host communities.
Mariia Borysenko will kick off the festival at ‘Shedia Home’, where her traditional Ukrainian Varenyky and her favourite Kiev Cake will blend with the flavours of chef Kostas Lykouras. © UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis
Diane Priscille Ndzouatchoua from Cameroon is testing the recipe of her renowned Poulet DG with the Greek chef Agapi Miheli. Dianne and Agapi will mix their heartwarming flavours at the new generation fast food restaurant ‘Lotza tis Geitonias’ in Exarchia. © UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis
Ilektra Rigkou (left) and Helen Saradis (right), head chefs of Lost Athens in Pangrati, will cook with Roya Saifi (middle) for the Cooking WithRefugess Festival © UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis
The Syrian aromatic recipes of Adel Boshi will mix with the beloved Greek tastes of chef Gogo Delogianni making up a full menu that will tempt us all at ‘Stoa Kerameikos’. © UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis
Mariia & Kostas – Shedia Home
Mariia Borysenko will kick off the Festival at ‘Shedia Home’, located at the historical centre of Athens. Mariia’s traditional Ukrainian Varenyky and her favourite Kiev Cake will blend with the flavours of chef Kostas Lykouras in the welcoming home of Shedia social project, powered by the Greek street paper Shedia.
Dianne & Agapi – Lotza tis Geitonias
Dianne Priscille Ndzouatchoua will offer heartwarming recipes from Cameroon, including her renowned Poulet DG, which finds a perfect match with the unpretentious cooking of chef Agapi Miheli, at the new generation fast food restaurant ‘Lotza tis Geitonias’ in Exarchia.
Roya & Helen, Ilektra– Lost Athens
The female cooking team of ‘Lost Athens’ and its chefs Helen Saradis and Ilektra Rigkou are welcoming the flavourful Afghan dishes of Roya Saifi, offering a new gastronomic and cultural experience in Pangrati, one the busiest and hippest neighborhoods in Athens.
Adel & Gogo – Stoa Kerameikos
A full menu including Syrian recipes by Adel Boshi and their Greek matches by chef Gogo Delogianni will tempt Athenians to visit ‘Stoa Kerameikos’ for the Festival’s closure.
Sunday 18 June
Ukrainian Cuisine| Mariia Borysenko & Kostas Lykouras • Shedia Home, Monastiraki (dinner)
Monday 19 June
Cameroonian Cuisine | Dianne Priscille Ndzouatchoua & Agapi Miheli • Lotza tis Geitonias, Exarchia (lunch, dinner)
Ukrainian Cuisine| Mariia Borysenko & Kostas Lykouras • Shedia Home, Monastiraki (dinner)
Tuesday 20 June
Cameroonian Cuisine | Dianne Priscille Ndzouatchoua & Agapi Miheli • Lotza tis Geitonias, Exarchia (lunch, dinner)
Wednesday 21 June
Afghan Cuisine| Roya Saifi & Helen Saradis, Ilektra Rigkou • Lost Athens, Pangrati (dinner)
Thursday 22 June
Syrian Cuisine |Adel Boshi & Gogo Delogianni • Stoa Kerameikos, Kerameikos (dinner)
You can book a table by calling the restaurants directly
The Cooking #WithRefugees Festival is organized with the support of organizations that help refugees broaden their skillset, get empowered, access opportunities and find their way into the labour market. We would like to thank METAdrasi, Saffron Kitchen Project and Elahe Penhan, as well as Athens Insider Magazine for the media support.
Join the Festival and capture the flavour of hope
Take a photo of the dish you enjoyed, share it on social media (@UNHCRGreece, #WithRefugees) and send your own message of hope!
About World Refugee Day
World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. It falls each year on 20 June and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. The 2023 theme of World Refugee Day is “hope away from home”and focuses on solutions for refugees and the power of inclusion.
About UNHCR
UNHCR is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights, and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. We are present in Greece since 1952, trying to ensure the protection and integration of refugees and asylum-seekers in the country. UNHCR has developed initiatives and tools to link refugees in Greece with the labour market, implements vocational training, education and livelihoods programmes, focuses on awareness-raising activities and works with the Greek authorities, civil society actors, cities and municipalities, the private sector and the local and refugee communities to promote inclusion policies at local and national level so that refugees can thrive in and contribute to their new home.
Cooking #WithRefugees
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