About us
CULTURE GENERATION 501(c)(3)
Culture Generation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating and preserving the rich culinary heritage of minority immigrant communities. Based in Kent, Washington, we believe that food is a powerful medium for cultural expression and connection. Our programs are designed to bridge cultural divides, support economic sustainability, and empower marginalized communities through the shared experience of food for generations to come.
Responsible Stewardship
We invest 100% of every donation directly into immigrant-owned restaurants and markets. Your contribution helps sustain small businesses that preserve culinary heritage and keep cultural traditions alive.
Join us in supporting what matters most—places where food is culture, and culture is celebrated and valued.
Mission/Vision
Our mission is to empower marginalized communities, support economic sustainability, and bridge cultural divides through food tours and cooking classes that promote the culinary heritage of minority immigrant communities. We aim to create a community where culinary diversity is celebrated and everyone feels valued and respected.
OUR VISION
Our vision is a world where culinary diversity is celebrated, cultural heritage is preserved, and everyone feels valued and respected. We strive to create a community where people from all backgrounds can come together to share and appreciate the rich, flavorful traditions of minority immigrant cuisines.
OUR IMPACT
In King County, families from Afghanistan, India, Persia, Thailand, China, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Peru, Mexico, and beyond preserve their culinary traditions as a source of identity and belonging. Yet many immigrant-owned restaurants and markets remain hidden, struggling for visibility in a crowded economy.
Through our cultural culinary tours, visitors from across the United States step into these spaces—shopping for authentic ingredients, cooking with spices, and experiencing traditions like bread making, grinding chiles in a molcajete, or gathering for an Ethiopian coffee ceremony. They leave with deeper respect for cultures that keep heritage alive and a lasting desire to support immigrant-owned businesses.
This is the difference Culture Generation makes: minority immigrant restaurants are lifted up as cultural pillars of King County—gaining visibility, customers, and stability while their heritage is preserved, their voices valued, and their communities supported to thrive.
OUR PROGRAMS
CULTURAL CULINARY TOURS
At Culture Generation, we celebrate the cultures of minority immigrant communities living throughout King County. Cities like Kent—ranked the fifth most diverse city in the nation are home to vibrant Afghan, Indian, Persian, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Malaysian, and Kenyan communities. Across the county, Somali, Ethiopian, Peruvian, Mexican, and many more cultures continue to hold on to food heritage as a source of identity and belonging.
These immigrant-owned restaurants and markets are more than places to eat and shop, they are cultural pillars that add value to our region. Yet many remain hidden gems, often undiscovered by the wider public. Culture Generation serves as the bridge that connects people to these communities, stories, and flavors—ensuring heritage is celebrated, businesses thrive, and King County shines as a global culinary destination.
COOKING CLASSES
At The Cultural Kitchen, we believe in the power of food as a bridge between cultures. Our mission is to preserve and share authentic culinary knowledge, offering a space for recipe exchange, hands-on cooking experiences, and intergenerational learning. We recognize the vital role of immigrant cuisines in shaping our local food scene and are committed to empowering small BIPOC food entrepreneurs through cultural education and mentorship.
Led by world-class chef Christina Arokiasamy and experienced culinary artisans, our interactive cooking experiences provide a unique opportunity to explore the authentic flavors, techniques, and histories behind global cuisines. From Malaysian, Indonesian, Thai, and Burmese to Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Mexican, Afghan, and African dishes, we unveil the secrets of spice blending, traditional sauces, and ancestral cooking methods that define each cuisine.
Beyond cooking, The Cultural Kitchen serves as an educational and storytelling space, where communities gather to share food traditions, explore the cultural significance of recipes, and celebrate the diversity of our region. Through mentorship and networking, we support aspiring BIPOC chefs and immigrant families in preserving their culinary heritage and fostering cultural pride.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
We offer a range of educational programs, including workshops, seminars, and community events. These initiatives aim to educate the public about the importance of culinary heritage, promote healthy eating habits, and support local ethnic businesses.
ABOUT FOUNDER
In 2020, as COVID-19 forced many minority immigrant restaurants and markets to the brink of closure, I saw the loss of cultural pillars and vital culinary art spaces of community identity. Drawing on over 25 years as a chef, cookbook author, television host, and cultural storyteller, I made it my mission to use my voice and credibility to bring them visibility.
Originally from Malaysia, a country of diverse cultures, I know that food is a window into a person’s heritage. These restaurants and markets—rarely in tourist guidebooks, carry stories, flavors, and traditions that deserve to be celebrated. By connecting the public to these spaces, we foster understanding, build cultural pride, and strengthen economic resilience.
My cookbooks The Spice Merchant’s Daughter (2008) and The Malaysian Kitchen (2017) have been celebrated by NPR, People Magazine, and Publishers Weekly, and featured on Oprah.com, The New York Times, and HuffPost for transporting readers into a person’s homeland through food memories. As the host of The Malaysian Kitchen on The Cooking Channel, I shared immigrant cuisine and the cultural pride it carries. Just as I carry my own food memories as an immigrant, I know other immigrants hold stories just as close to their hearts.
Through Culture Generation Non-Profit, I honor the people and heritage behind immigrant cuisine—preserving traditions, fostering cultural pride, and creating spaces where minority communities feel seen and valued.
The Kitchen is our Theater, the Market is our Gallery, and Food is Culture – each culinary experience helps uplift and support minority immigrant businesses.
Behind the Scenes
At iTishniki, we were honored to contribute to the Culture Generation project by designing their brochure, managing their website, handling hosting, and developing fresh content to enhance their digital presence. Founder in Kent, WA, iTishniki specializes in website design, SEO optimization, branding, and email marketing.
Leading iTishniki is Nick, a website design expert with over a decade of experience in crafting engaging digital experiences. Since starting his journey in 2013, he has combined technical skills with creativity to bring brands to life. When he’s not immersed in design and development, he enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with his wife and three children.
Kate Wells is a graphic designer with over 25 years of experience in print design, branding, and visual storytelling. As consultant, she combines creative design with digital outreach to connect communities. Proud of her Canadian First Nations and Norwegian heritage, Kate draws inspiration from nature and culture. When Kate is not immersed, she is enjoying her family and the beauty and splendor of the natural world around her.