One World Kitchen: Uniting Global Talent Through Culinary Arts
CUISINE DREAMS, WORLDWIDE TALENT, LOCAL IMPACT
At Building Hope in the City’s Hope Center, we know that food speaks across every boundary. Each week, over 400 refugees and immigrants find their way to Cleveland’s only faith-based drop-in center, seeking support through ESL and citizenship classes, immigration legal assistance, childcare programming, and job placement services. But beyond the challenges and hardships they carry, these individuals also bring with them dreams—God-planted seeds waiting to grow, nurtured by hope and opportunity.
This is the heart of our new culinary entrepreneurship program, One World Kitchen. Created for those with a passion and vision for food, One World Kitchen invites students to turn their culinary dreams into reality, learning what it takes to run or work in a successful restaurant or catering business here in the U.S. The six-month program is an accredited course designed in partnership with EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute, where founder and CEO Brandon Chrostowski and his talented team teach skills ranging from food hygiene to knife skills, cooking techniques, and food science. “Partnering with Brandon and EDWINS has been a real joy for our staff and participants,” shares Brian Upton, BHITC’s Executive Director. “Brandon’s passion for leveraging great food to uplift underestimated populations aligns so well with Building Hope and The Hope Center!”
Through One World Kitchen, God has brought together the pieces—connections, resources, and people—to transform this program from vision to reality. Our first cohort includes students from nine different countries, each united by a shared love for food and a shared journey toward purpose and dignity. “Cooking can feel so simple, but it is a declaration of our shared humanity when we gather across linguistic, religious, cultural, and socioeconomic lines to eat together,” shares Sharon Hughes, Director of Refugee and Immigrant Ministries. “This is more than a class. It’s a pursuit of God’s Kingdom here on earth. The table represents a place of peace, innovation, community, faith, hope, equity, humility, and creativity. I see God’s heart in it all.”
At the end of the program, each graduate receives a chef’s coat, hat, and their own set of professional tools to launch their journey here in the States. Their hard work will be celebrated at the One World Kitchen pop-up dinner in February, where students will serve the community with dishes that showcase both their skills and their heritage—a beautiful culmination of learning, faith, and dedication. “This is me living out my dream. When I cook, I make food from the heart,” shares Hanan Es Sabar, THC Cafe Manager and One World Kitchen Lead Coordinator. “Each week we learn more techniques like knife skills and proper food preparation, and we learn from professionals. To see everyone come together and enjoy what we spent so much time preparing is so rewarding.”
Throughout the New Testament, Jesus uses the symbolism of food to reveal unity, new life, and His abundant love. In John 6:35, He tells us, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” One World Kitchen reflects this truth—showing how God’s love transcends backgrounds and circumstances, giving purpose, dignity, and unity through shared meals.
We invite you to join us in celebrating and supporting the work of One World Kitchen, inspired by God’s vision of life and connection through food. Together, let us witness and share in the unstoppable love of God, one meal at a time.
