Refugee chefs are bringing their stories to DC’s most popular tables through the power of food.

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About Tables Without Borders


Hand Drawn House

Resettlement Partnerships

Our refugee resettlement and asylum-seeker advocacy partners reach out to us when they receive a client interested in pursuing a career in the culinary arts.

Hand Drawn Table

Culinary Internships & Dinner Events

We place participating chefs in paid culinary internships at local restaurants, culminating in a dinner led by the emerging chef where we collect 50% of revenue.

Hand Drawn Table

Employment Opportunities

After the internship and dinner, the restaurant and chef decide if they’d like to make the position permanent.

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Previous Events


Tables Without Borders x Hilton

For three nights in Fall 2019, Chef Ahmed Nejat of Afghanistan collaborated with head chef Philip Thompson of Härth at Hilton McLean.


World Refugee Week 2019

On each night of World Refugee Week 2019, a DC restaurant welcomed an emerging refugee or asylum-seeking chef into the kitchen and offered a unique menu combining the restaurant and chef’s signature flavors.


Press & Partners


Tables Without Borders has been covered by numerous reputable outfits and previously partnered with HIAS.
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