About the Episode

Thriving Through Food is a web series, by Pati Jinich, a Mexican chef, TV personality, cookbook author, educator, and food writer. best known for her James Beard Award-winning and Emmy-nominated public television series Pati's Mexican Table. The series celebrates the diversity of cultures and cuisines brought by immigrants that we all get to enjoy in the US. This episode explores the flavors of Afghanistan with Miry’s List’s New Arrival Supper Club.

Immigrants to the country come bearing gifts. They bring talents and skills that add to our economy and our communities, expand our horizons and teach us about the world and cultural gifts, including warm, loving customs and delicious food. While all come to the U.S. searching for a life where they will be safe, and their children can build a future, many would have stayed in their homes if they could, like most of us. But, in contrast to many negative stereotypes, whether they’ve fled their home or journeyed here willingly, the immigrants in our communities are eager to give back to their new homes and add the variety that gives living in the United States the spice of life.

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We believe that a welcoming country begins with welcoming neighbors.  

Refugees arrive in the United States following courageous and unimaginably difficult journeys and sacrifices. They bring talents and skills that add to our communities, expand our horizons and teach us about the world and ourselves. We have a tremendous opportunity to show up for these newest American families with intention, friendship, and joy to make their arrival a truly celebrated homecoming. Individualized and intense support provided to resettling refugee families in those difficult first 12-18 months leads to better outcomes for the community at large. Miry's List's work is an investment — in families, human beings, and new Americans. It's about investing in them upon arrival because the need is so great, and the impact is so real.

Why? 

Because migration can be a traumatic experience. The experience of migrating as a refugee can be disheartening and lack informed consent. Individuals and families can lose their sense of individuality, feel limited by societal stigmas and discrimination toward immigrants, and feel lost, isolated, and lonely. They arrive seeking what each and every one of us needs: Safety, opportunity, and a hopeful future. 

New Arrival Supper Club directly counteracts these hardships. It's a bridge for American people to meet their new neighbors who have experienced resettlement as refugees. It's important for people to be of service, especially when they are going through challenging times and have a lot of needs of their own. New Arrival Supper Club is a safe space for refugees to host, demonstrate their skills and talents, earn an income, and meet new friends. Though we may not share a spoken language, we have a shared human experience. We all seek out connections, we all rely on our neighbors, and a delicious meal not only nurtures the body but the soul as well. This is the spice of life.  

Want to join our table in June? Join us for an Afghan feast on June 20 or June 21 in Los Angeles to celebrate World Refugee Day. Sign up to give monthy to join the Welcomers Circle to get exclusive first-look access to our monthly supper club. 

Thank you for helping,

Miry

Together we are amazing. Stay connected.