Good Food Kitchens was inspired by the amazing work of the Seattle Community Kitchen Collective and other tireless restaurateurs and chefs who turned to care for their communities at a time of incredible need as their own doors were shuttered due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Through continued commitment beyond our current crisis, these chefs are providing sustained support for their communities and combatting food insecurity locally.
Through partnerships with organizations like the Food Innovation Network (FIN), Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDpda), and Wasat, we have been able to significantly expand the number of restaurants and caterers Good Food Kitchens is able to support.
Most restaurants prepare meals to community meal providers to distribute, working closely together to determine dietary and culturally appropriate menus. In some cases, restaurants also provide meals to anyone in need through walk-up-windows or public distribution events. Where that is available, we have included times and locations for meal pickup.
That Brown Girl Cooks!
That Brown Girl Cooks! is the catering arm of Chef Kristi Brown’s restaurant, Communion. She and her team began their community meal program in the face of the COVID-19 public health crisis. They provide up to 800 meals each month directly to the community and local senior centers, utilizing produce from local farmers.
Musang
2524 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
Musang is a community-driven Filipinix restaurant located on Beacon Hill. They opened their community kitchen at the beginning of the COVID-19 public health crisis as a way to provide meals to the community and support local farms who were affected by widespread restaurant closures. With a focus on nourishing ingredients, they provide up to 600 meals each week to individuals, senior centers, and the South Park Community Center.
Taku
706 E Pike St, Seattle WA 98122
Located on Capitol Hill, Taku is an Osaka-influenced street food restaurant owned by chef Shota Nakajima. He and his team have been dedicated to creating community meals and safety support since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. They will be distributing 200 meals each month at pop-up community events.
Pancita
4900 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
Pancita is a self-described Mexican-ish popup run by Seattle restaurant industry veterans and partners, Janet Becerra and Jonathan Ragsdale. Operating bi-weekly out of Lottie’s Lounge in Columbia City, they are famous for their tamales and tostadas. Pancita began as a community minded endeavor, and remains so, with the creation of 450 community meals each month.
Ayako & Family
Ayako & Family is owned by second generation jam maker, Alessandra Gordon. She produces the jam and community meals using recipes her mother created nearly 30 years ago. Recreating the Japanese Curry her mother made throughout her childhood, she has been able to provide over 4,000 meals to community members experiencing food insecurity by distributing meals directly to those who need them.
Mojito
7545 Lake City Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115
Mojito is a Latin American and Cuban restaurant in the Maple Leaf neighborhood. Through community donations, owner Luam Wersom began creating culturally relevant and heart-health conscious meals for North Seattle residents at the beginning of the pandemic. Through continued support, he and his team distribute up to 650 community meals each week.
Frank’s Oyster House & Champagne Parlor
2616 NE 55th St, Seattle, WA 98105
Frank’s is located in the Ravenna neighborhood, offering comforting iterations of East Coast fare using Pacific Northwest Ingredients. Owner Sarah Penn and Chef George bring their comfort food and neighborhood hospitality to the 150 community meals they create each month.
Project Feast
202 W Gowe St, Kent, Washington 98032
Project Feast’s mission is to transform the lives of refugees and immigrants by providing pathways to sustainable employment in the food industry, and to enrich communities through intercultural exchange. Their Culinary Skills Apprenticeship program integrates the creation of community meals into its training program.
Wasat
Wasat’s Neighborly Needs program promotes economic stability for caterers and independently-owned restaurants, removes barriers to nourishing food, and cultivates community around fresh and hot meals. Their partners include Feed the People, Phresheats, Masakan, Salima Specialties, Karachi Cowboys, and others.
Food Innovation Network
14200 Tukwila International Blvd Suite 141, Tukwila WA 98168
A program of Global to Local, the Food Innovation Network (FIN) enhances the local food system, increases access to healthy foods, and supports local food businesses in the diverse communities of SeaTac/Tukwila and South King County. FIN supports aspiring entrepreneurs who primarily come from low-income immigrant and refugee communities who are now incorporating community meals as part of their business operations. Good Food Kitchens supports the following FIN caterers:
Jazze Afghani Fusion
Organic Afghan-American fusion
Since she was a young girl growing up in Afghanistan, Nasrin Noori loved being in the kitchen, where she would challenge herself to craft delicious meals from limited ingredients. In her late teens, Nasrin became interested in nutrition, and started learning about the U.S. food system and the benefits of organic foods. She got certified as a health coach, and eventually opened Jazze’s to offer healthy Afghan fusion food prepared with organic, local ingredients. Her menu caters to a variety of dietary needs and preferences, and includes paleo, vegan, and gluten-free options.
Taste of Congo
Congolese
Originally from the Congolese city of Kinshasa, Caroline grew up helping her mother cater weddings, parties, and church meetups. Several years ago, Caroline fled armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo and started a new life in South King County. Realizing there were no Congolese food businesses in our region, she launched Taste of Congo to share her home country’s unique flavors with her new community.
Afella Jollof Catering
Gambian/Senegalese
Raised in Gambia, Adama Jammeh came to King County three years ago by way of St. Louis and Atlanta. She was long considered an exceptional cook by her community, who encouraged her to seek bigger opportunities. Here in the Seattle area, Adama and her sister Oumie Sallah have been able to expand their culinary skills and offerings, founding Afella Jollof Catering. After joining our Food Business Incubator last year, they have offered their mouthwatering cuisine at farmers markets, pop-ups, and catered events.
WUHA Ethiopian-American Cuisine
Ethiopian-American
Growing up in Ethiopia’s capital city, Addis Ababa, Liyu Yirdaw loved to spend time with her mom in the kitchen. Inspired to study western cooking at culinary school, Liyu graduated at the top of her class. When she came to the United States 15 years ago, she was thrilled by the variety of different ethnic foods she found, and began experimenting with different flavor combinations.
Monique’s Hot Kitchen
Healthy Kenyan
The culinary arts have been Monica Wachira’s passion since she started learning to cook at age 5. She went on to study catering, and has worked in restaurants for more than 10 years. Her food is made from scratch using natural ingredients, and fresh, high-quality spices. Her aim is to serve food as she had in Kenya, where ingredients were brought in straight from the garden and into the kitchen.
Moyo Kitchen
Somali-Kenyan-Tanzanian fusion
Mwana Moyo and Batulo Nuh each make up one half of Moyo Kitchen. Mwana originally hails from Tanzania. Batulo, a Somali, was raised in Kenya. Here in King County, they bonded over their shared love of food, cooking, and celebrations. The two neighbors have used both their similarities and differences to create a unique combination of authentic East African food at Moyo Kitchen. Dedicated to their craft of cooking and to their community, Mwana and Batulo also work as a caregiver and a social services case manager, respectively.
Theary Cambodian Foods
Cambodian/Khmer
When Theary Ngeth was 5 years old, she and her family escaped the Khmer Rouge on foot, making a dangerous journey through the jungle from Cambodia to Thailand. They were among thousands of Cambodians who fled genocide, survived brutal conditions in refugee camps, and eventually resettled in the United States. These refugees endured many losses, including important parts of their culinary heritage. Theary launched Theary Cambodian Foods in October to provide comfort and connection for her fellow Cambodians, and to preserve and share her cultural food traditions.
SCIDpda
Seattle Chinatown-International District Preservation & Development Authority distributes groceries and meals to low-income residents in the Chinatown International District (CID). Meals are prepared by locally-owned restaurants in the neighborhood. Meals and groceries are delivered by volunteers who drive and/or drop off the food to residents. To date, SCIDpda has delivered over 8,000 meals and 20,000 bags of groceries to residents in the CID. Through partnership with SCIDpda, Good Food Kitchens has been able to support the following restaurants:
Gourmet Noodle Bowl
707 8th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104
Gourmet Noodle Bowl is a Chinese/Taiwanese noodle house owned by Mason Huang and Kueifang Yushan. Listed on Eater’s Top 10 lists for both their all-you-can-eat hot pots and dumplings, Gourmet Noodle Bowl has been a go-to for locals from the day it opened.
Ho Ho Seafood Restaurant
653 S Weller St, Seattle, WA 98104
Ho Ho Seafood Restaurant is one of the oldest Chinese restaurants in Seattle. Offering over 180 Hong Kong Chinese-style dishes, Ho Ho is beloved by families and late-night diners alike.
Ton Kiang Barbeque Noodle House
668 S Weller St, Seattle, WA 98104
Ton Kiang Barbecue Noodle House is famous for its roasted duck and poached free-range chicken and ginger-scallion sauce. Whether tucking into the cozy dining room or ordering for takeaway, the staff commits to making a deep impression, hoping you’ll transport to Hong Kong with each bite.
Dim Sum King
617 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104
Dim Sum King offers modern interpretations of classic Chinese dishes, and is steadfast in their insistence to use only the highest quality fresh ingredients.
A + Hong Kong Kitchen
419 6th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104
A + Hong Kong Kitchen is heavily influenced by Cantonese cuisine, offering traditional and fusion dishes. This family-owned Hong Kong style cafe is the remedy to long Seattle winters with their winning milk tea, fish congee, and curry fish balls.
Gan Bei
670 S Weller St, Seattle, WA 98104
Self-described as no nonsense comfort Asian and Chinese food, Gan Bei is known for their cocktails and generously portioned clay pot dishes.
