Celebrate the strong connections among plants, food and culture in honor of World Refugee Day! Chefs from Friends of Refugees mix up our weekend cooking demonstrations with international recipes alongside other activities that highlight Atlanta’s diverse refugee communities and foodways.

Outdoor Kitchen Cooking Demonstrations + Tastings

Watch and learn as chefs from the Friends of Refugees prepare international recipes in the Outdoor Kitchen, then try a small sample.*

*while supplies last

10:30 a.m.  Sela Paw with LorAe Htoo and Aewa Shee – Karen Cuisine (Burma)

11:30 a.m.  Ja Jyu Lon Ko, Two Fish – Burmese Cuisine

12:30 p.m.  Karim + Miriam Alrubaii, Al Chef – Iraqi/Middle Eastern Cuisine

1:30 p.m.  Ritha Mwida – Congolese Cuisine

Learn more about chefs below:

Sela Paw

Sela Paw was born in Burma and moved to a Thailand refugee camp with her family when she was an infant. When she was six, her family immigrated to the United States. The new country felt unfamiliar at first but she slowly adjusted into the diverse community over time. Her parents would garden growing up and provide fresh food for the family. As she grew older, she joined Jolly Avenue Garden, a community space where people from many backgrounds grew their own food and shared their stories. She loved learning from other gardeners and seeing how gardening could bring people together. Inspired by her family and her time in the garden, Sela decided to study horticulture and is now starting her own garden at home. 

Ja Jyu Lon Ko

Two Fish Myanmar serves authentic Burmese dishes. The menu attracts customers seeking traditional comfort food from Myanmar, as well as new customers experiencing the cuisine for the first time.  

Owners Yapar and Ja Jyu Lon Ko, resettled in the United States in 2015. After years of running the business part-time from their home, the family decided to launch their homestyle cooking into a full time business in spring of 2024.

The name of the business comes from the story of Jesus taking five loaves and two fish, multiplying them to feed a crowd.

Karim + Miriam Alrubaii

Al Chef is a family-owned Mediterranean restaurant located in the Clarkston Market in Clarkston, Georgia, serving the diverse communities of the greater Atlanta area. The business is rooted in the story of husband and wife Karim and Siham. The head chef, Karim Alrubaii, was born in Basra, Iraq, and the owner/sous-chef, Siham Suleiman, was born in Ayn Al-Shams, Syria. Both fled to Lebanon before eventually immigrating to the U.S. Like many immigrants, food became their bridge to culture and home. Karim spent over 30 years in kitchens; before coming to the U.S., he built a restaurant on a ship that used to import supplies to Iraq. 

After immigrating, Karim cooked at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta for 14 years until their daughter, Miriam Alrubaii, made his dream come true. While earning her degree in Human Resource Management, Miriam founded the business, Al Chef, as an LLC with her mom, Siham. After graduating from Oglethorpe University in May 2025, Miriam took over daily operations while Siham, half-owner and cook, worked alongside Karim. Now, Miriam has handed the daily operations to her brothers, Sharball and Yousif Alrubaii. Since opening in March 2024, Al Chef’s mission is to serve authentic Mediterranean food that reminds refugees and immigrants of home while welcoming all cultures to enjoy traditional Middle Eastern cuisine.

Ritha Mwida

Ritha Mutombo Mwidya is a Congolese cook, theology student, and community advocate living in Atlanta, Georgia. Born and raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ritha carries the rich culinary traditions of Central Africa in her hands and heart. For her, cooking is more than preparing food; it is storytelling, hospitality, and cultural preservation.

Ritha is married and a proud mother of two. As a wife, mom, and Master of Divinity student at Columbia Theological Seminary, she balances family life, school, and community with deep faith and determination. She cares deeply about immigrant and refugee communities, especially women who may doubt their voice or calling. Ritha believes God gives each person gifts, and she hopes to encourage women, especially Congolese women, to believe in themselves and in the purpose God has placed in them.

For Ritha, food is personal. When she prepares samoussas, beignets, or Pondu (yuca leaves), Ritha will be cooking the meals she grew up eating, meals that remind her of home, family gatherings, laughter, and strength. Sharing Congolese food is her way of sharing where she comes from and inviting others to feel welcome at the table.

Through events like the Refugee Recipe Celebration, Ritha hopes not only to nourish people’s bodies but also to foster understanding, connection, and community around the table.

Live Music and Dance Performances

Watch West African dance, drum and sekere performances by Egun Omode, listen to music by the Clarkston Strings High School Small Group Orchestra, and watch Burmese dance performances.

Discovery Stations

Stroll the Garden and visit discovery stations from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Talk with Friends of Refugees staff and the International Rescue Committee Youth Food Justice Interns to learn about the interesting work they do. Visit the Edible Garden to learn about some ways plants are used in international cuisines and enjoy a treat.

Hosted in partnership with Friends of Refugees.