Program Impact
Creating Pathways for Cultural Preservation, Visibility, and Economic Opportunity
Southern China Culinary Journey
September 5, 2026
Fortune Seafood Restaurant
Kent, Washington
Culture Generation’s World Table™ welcomed over 25 community members to Fortune Seafood Restaurant in Kent for a Southern China culinary journey centered on Cantonese food traditions.
Guests learned about yin and yang, balance in Chinese cooking, traditional ingredients, sauces, spices, and cooking techniques before gathering around the table for a Cantonese lunch prepared by the restaurant’s Southern Chinese chefs.
The experience also introduced guests to Sammy, the new owner of Fortune Seafood, creating a direct connection between the public and a local immigrant-owned restaurant.
Through World Table™, Culture Generation uses food as an accessible way to share cultural knowledge, bring people together, and introduce the public to the diverse food businesses of South King County.
Moments from our Journey
Afghan Cultural Journey
July 25, 2026
Kabab Place
25814 102nd Pl SE, Kent, WA 98030
Culture Generation’s Afghan Cultural Journey brought the community together to experience Afghan heritage through food, art, and storytelling.
Participants enjoyed traditional Afghan cuisine, including Kabuli pulao, mantu, and kebabs, while learning from a hardworking immigrant family sharing their culture through food and hospitality. Guests also experienced the artwork of Afghan artist Arman Karimi, who shared his memories of Afghanistan through his paintings.
Through these cultural journeys, Culture Generation highlights the people behind every restaurant and market — the families, entrepreneurs, and culture-bearers who preserve their traditions while building a new home.
As an immigrant-founded organization, Culture Generation creates bridges between communities by sharing cultures with respect, authenticity, and care.
This is the vision of World Table™ — connecting people through food, culture, and shared experiences.
Moments from our Journey
A few moments from our World Table™ Journey through Thailand
June 6, 2026
Seree Thai
Every journey is an opportunity to experience authentic culture through its people, traditions, and cuisine.
Together, we explored the rich underpinnings of authentic Thai and Northern Thai cuisine, learning about its ingredients, techniques, traditions, and the stories behind every dish.
We are grateful to the immigrant restaurants who have entrusted us over the years to share their true heritage with our guests. Here are a few of our moments from this beautiful journey at Seree Thai Restaurant in Kent, WA.
Because every immigrant kitchen has a story worth preserving.
Seree Thai
12990 SE Kent-Kangley Rd.
Kent, WA 98030
Moments from our Journey
A Journey to Oaxaca in Kent, Washington
April 11, 2026
Yoli's Mexican Restaurant and Tienda Mexicana Familia
Right here in Kent, there is a little piece of Oaxaca.
I am sharing some moments from our recent Cocina Latina culinary tour, and it was honestly just lovely. We got to see the incredible richness of the chilies and see how salsa, guacamole, and Mole sauces for tamales are made the original Oaxacan way.
When you come on this journey with us, you step directly into the stories of the people behind the food. You learn from the cultures themselves so you can cook with that same heart in your own kitchen.
This is World Table™ original Culture Generation initiative created specifically to support our BIPOC and immigrant-owned businesses—making sure these family-run pillars of our community don’t just survive, they flourish.
To everyone who joined us, council member John Boyd on behalf of City of Kent and thank you for making it so special.
Please do visit and support these wonderful families:
Yoli’s Mexican Restaurant
10218 SE 240th St
Kent, WA 98031
Tienda Mexicana Familia
10214 Southeast 240th Street
Kent, Wa
Moments from our Journey
Savoring Nepal – A Culinary Journey Through Kathmandu
March 7, 2026
Southeast Asian Mart and Curry & Kabab
Savoring Nepal was one of our culinary journeys created to bring hope and dignity to minority immigrant restaurant chefs who labor quietly each day, carrying their traditions, family sacrifices, and shared dreams into the kitchens of our city.
At Culture Generation, we are here to provide service to others, to bring hope. How beautiful to help shine a light on their stories and resilience and for the guests who joined us, it was an experience of exquisite cuisine and rich cultural discovery into Tibet and Nepal, here in Kent WA.
Support the small business owners
Southeast Asian Mart
27339 Covington Way SE, Suite B-115
Covington, WA 98042
Curry & Kabab
10415 SE 240th St
Kent, WA 98031
Moments from our Journey
Thai Christmas Table — A Living Art
December 7, 2025
Seree Thai
A Thai Christmas Dinner hosted at SeRee Thai Restaurant showed how immigrant-owned restaurants can be transformed into elegant communal dining spaces when they are given visibility and thoughtful support, comparable to mainstream dining venues.
Culture Generation transformed each communal table into an art form exhibition, where food was presented as tradition and as a shared form of community learning. Through the Thai pantry and regional traditions that influence a country’s cuisine, guests experienced how ingredients, presentation, and shared tables carry cultural meaning. Thai food was understood not simply as something ordered from a menu, but as a living tradition shaped by place and people.
As part of the evening, the program created space for chefs to meet guests and share the people behind the restaurant. The Thai Christmas Cultural Dinner demonstrated Thai food as living art, with immigrant owners themselves serving the community and creating a welcoming space for public cultural engagement.
Seree Thai
12990 SE Kent-Kangley Rd.
Kent, WA 98030
Moments from our Journey
Speaker Series on Equity and Belonging City of Kent
November 12, 2025
Seree Thai
The City of Kent, Washington hosted its Speaker Series on Equity and Belonging, a civic program designed to deepen understanding of how visibility and inclusion shape a welcoming community.
For the first time, the city invited a local speaker, selecting Chef Christina Arokiasamy to speak on behalf of Culture Generation, an arts and culture nonprofit uplifting underserved minority immigrant communities.
Chef Arokiasamy delivered two sessions, one for city leadership and one for the public. The program featured food from Kent’s newest immigrant-owned restaurants, including Yoli Cocina Con Carazon and Saree Thai Restaurant, highlighting the cultural contributions of the city’s newest community members. Through lived stories and cultural insights, both sessions underscored a central message: equity begins when people are seen, and belonging begins when they are included. This collaboration reflects the City of Kent’s commitment to cultural diversity and Culture Generation’s mission to advance cultural dignity across the region.
Moments from our Journey
Savoring Nepal
November 4, 2025
South East Asian Mart
Savoring Nepal, held on November 4, 2025, brought thirty guests on an immersive cultural and culinary journey that began at the South East Asian Mart in Covington and concluded at Curry and Kabab in Kent. Participants explored the art of spices—seeing, touching, and learning how to layer flavors for both health and taste—while discovering how turmeric, cumin, and ginger have long sustained communities across South Asia especially in Nepal. This was not a simple food event; it was an experience of connection, understanding culture, and belonging. At Curry and Kabab, Chef Kamal shared family recipes from the Himalayan foothills and Kathmandu valleys, each dish a reflection of memory and migration. Through this program, Culture Generation brought visibility to a beloved but struggling Nepalese restaurant, helping it gain recognition and support from visitors across the region and beyond.
This is where Culture Generation stands apart from tour companies or marketing agencies that use culture as a commodity. Instead, we present it with cultural dignity—as a nonprofit founded and led by BIPOC communities, created to uplift BIPOC immigrant restaurants and markets across the region. Savoring Nepal was created for the community to embody and share authentic stories that celebrate immigrant resilience and culinary heritage. Dhanyabaad—thank you for supporting Culture Generation nonprofit organization, where every plate tells a story of belonging, equity, and the beauty of our shared humanity.
Moments from our Journey
Cocina Latina
September 27, 2025
La Huerta Latin Market
Cocina Latina: Strengthening Kent’s Cultural Identity Through Equitable Support for Immigrant Entrepreneurs
Culture Generation hosted Cocina Latina – Journey Through Latin Markets and Flavors on September 27, 2025, welcoming 25 guests from cities including Kansas, Snoqualmie, and Portland to experience the culinary traditions of Kent’s Latin community. The event began at La Huerta Latin Market, where participants explored the cultural richness of everyday Latin ingredients—baskets filled with guajillo, pasilla, ancho, and cascabel chilies, fresh plantains, and handmade conchas. The market tour offered guests an authentic glimpse into immigrant entrepreneurship and the preservation of culinary heritage that strengthens Kent’s cultural identity.
The journey continued with a gourmet lunch at Yõli Cocina Con Carazon, where Chefs Eleazar Pavón and Rosa presented a five-generation legacy of Oaxacan cooking. Dishes such as birria de res, pollo a la piña, and choco flan showcased both artistry and tradition, creating an experience of cultural pride and connection. Programs like this highlight the urgent need for visibility and equitable government spending that supports immigrant-owned businesses—ensuring their stories, labor, and heritage are recognized as integral to Kent’s tourism and economic growth.
Moments from our Journey
Journey To Thailand
July 26, 2025
La Huerta Latin Market
Culture Generation hosted A Journey to Thailand — a cultural and culinary immersive experience that welcomed guests from as far as Texas, Portland, and Boise, Idaho, right here to Kent, Washington, to discover the richness of Thai food and heritage within our local immigrant community.
Through storytelling, geography, and cultural insight, participants were transported to Thailand as they explored the ingredients that form the heart of the Thai pantry from lemongrass and galangal to chili pastes, fish sauce, and coconut milk. Guests learned how Thailand’s four distinct culinary regions — the Northeast, Bangkok, the South, and the Central Plains have shaped the migration stories of Thai people who now call the U.S. home, and how those regions are reflected in the diverse range of Thai restaurants and recipes we enjoy today. The experience included a hands-on walkthrough at Southeast Asian Mart, where participants learned how to identify staple pantry ingredients and prepare for authentic Thai cooking. That knowledge came to life later in the day at Saree Thai Restaurant, where guests enjoyed dishes that reflected the very ingredients and regions they had just studied. The chef’s warm hospitality and thoughtful preparation allowed participants to understand why, for Thai communities, food is inseparable from culture, a living expression of migration, and identity. With 20 attendees and two locally owned immigrant businesses featured, the event reflected Culture Generation’s mission: to uplift communities through food, culture, and belonging.
“The Culture Tour Taste of Thailand by Culture Generation on July 26 was simply extraordinary. Starting with shopping at the Southeast Asian Market, we were introduced to the regional differences in cuisine from north to south, east to west. Shopping was great, and we all benefitted from Chef Arokiasamy’s culinary advice. I especially appreciated the shopping tour, as I live in Boise, Idaho, and do not have the selection that a coastal community enjoys.
The dining experience at Saree, a newer Thai restaurant on Kent’s East Hill, was the best Thai food I have ever had! A curated, chefs-in-consultation menu that will never be forgotten.
This is my second tour with them, and personally, I am gladdened to see the work Culture Generation is doing in highlighting local cultural cuisines and customs. The Puget Sound region and more so Kent, is especially gifted in a rich tapestry of immigrant cultures that this nonprofit has taken on the mission to educate, immerse, and expand our palates of a particular culture.
Culture Generation’s work is of great importance and unique, as it enriches us, the public, while it honors the cultural identities that could be lost in this great melting pot that is the United States.”
– June L. Creson, Boise, Idaho
Moments from our Journey
India To Persia
April 26, 2025
Byblos Mediterranean Market in Kent
Culture Generation hosted From India to Persia – Ancient Kitchens of Healing and Flavor, an immersive culinary tour supported by the Port of Seattle. Guests began their journey at Byblos Mediterranean Market in Kent, where the air was rich with rosewater, sumac, saffron, and cardamom. These markets are more than shops—they are living archives of tradition, where immigrant shopkeepers serve as culture bearers.
Guests then enjoyed a chef-curated Persian lunch featuring honey-pomegranate glazed chicken, mehlab-spiced kebabs, and shawarma, each dish paired with stories of migration and memory. The tour concluded with a sit-down lunch at Curry & Kebab, where Nepalese cuisine and hospitality offered a deeper understanding of how food preserves identity. This event wasn’t just about food—it spotlighted the power of culinary tourism to celebrate diversity and uplift immigrant-owned businesses.
Moments from our Journey
Flavors of Isan
March 23, 2025
Thai Chili Restaurant
Culture Generation hosted A Journey to Thailand — a cultural and culinary immersive experience that welcomed guests from as far as Texas, Portland, and Boise, Idaho, right here to Kent, Washington, to discover the richness of Thai food and heritage within our local immigrant community.
Flavors of Isan – A Thai Market Experience
Over 330 guests came together to experience the vibrant flavors of Thailand at a special Thai food market held inside Thai Chili Restaurant in Kent.
Many of the dishes celebrated the cuisine of Isan, the Northeastern region of Thailand known for its bold, rustic flavors and deep-rooted culinary traditions. From gai yang (grilled chicken) and sai ua (Northern Thai sausage) to Sakoo Sai Moo (steamed tapioca balls with pork, peanuts, and sweet pickled radish), each dish was thoughtfully handcrafted—offering guests an authentic taste of regional Thai cooking.
This Thai market was more than just a food event. It was a powerful reminder that culture thrives when it’s shared, and that food can connect us all. Through these flavors, visitors didn’t just discover Thai cuisine—they experienced the heart of a community.
Moments from our Journey
World of Spices
June 29, 2024
Thai Chili Restaurant
Culture Generation hosted A Journey to Thailand — a cultural and culinary immersive experience that welcomed guests from as far as Texas, Portland, and Boise, Idaho, right here to Kent, Washington, to discover the richness of Thai food and heritage within our local immigrant community.
Punjabi Bazar – The World of Spices
A visit to a charming little spice shop owned by Jinder, where vibrant colors and exotic aromas beckon. Explore the world of turmeric, garam masala, tandoori masalas, lentil, pulses, chutneys, and teas. Each spice is ready to infuse your dishes with its rich flavors. Chef Arokiasamy shares insights on how to use these spices for flavor in your cooking and how to store them in your pantry.
Address: 24030 132nd Ave SE A, Kent, WA 98042
Phone: (253) 277-3098
Fortune Seafood Restaurant – Cantonese Chinese Cuisine
Fortune Seafood Restaurant in Kent is a minority women-owned establishment renowned for attracting Chinese diners from the greater Seattle area with its authentic flavors. Cantonese cuisine, often referred to as the “mother cuisine,” holds a prestigious place in China. Originating from the Pearl River Delta in Guangdong province, Cantonese cooking became China’s first cosmopolitan cuisine in the 18th century through early trade with foreign merchants. As some of the first Chinese immigrants to America, Guangdong residents introduced this beloved cooking style to the United States. Today, we will savor the exquisite dishes of Cantonese cuisine.
Address: 23719 104th Ave SE, Kent, WA 98031
Phone: (253) 852-7360
Moments from our Journey
Taste of Kent
May 25, 2024
Byblos Mediterranean Market
Culture Generation hosted A Journey to Thailand — a cultural and culinary immersive experience that welcomed guests from as far as Texas, Portland, and Boise, Idaho, right here to Kent, Washington, to discover the richness of Thai food and heritage within our local immigrant community.
The “Taste of Kent” project, led by Culture Generation a non profit 501 C 3 and Chef Arokiasamy, took a group of food enthusiasts on an enchanting culinary tour through the Middle Eastern and Mediterranean markets and restaurants in Kent, WA. Our journey included a sumptuous feast at Byblos Mediterranean Market on East Hill. We indulged when platters of whole roasted chicken glazed with honey and pomegranate sauce, tender lamb and chared beef kebabs seasoned with mehlab, flavorful chicken shawarma, freshly baked warm breads from open-fire ovens, fava bean pilaf, tabbouleh salad, creamy hummus, and an assortment of olives was set at the table.
The Persian Food Tour provided a bridge for the public to learn about the culture of immigrants from Persia, their way of life through cuisine. Culture Generation was able to obtain capacity for small Persian Food businesses in Kent and help them thrive in the community.
Join us for the next complimentary tour through The Orient. While the tour is free, a small donation of your generosity to help sustain these programs is appreciated.
Moments from our Journey
Spice Market Tour
November 18, 2023
Byblos Mediterranean Market
Culture Generation hosted A Journey to Thailand — a cultural and culinary immersive experience that welcomed guests from as far as Texas, Portland, and Boise, Idaho, right here to Kent, Washington, to discover the richness of Thai food and heritage within our local immigrant community.
On November 18, 2023, The Taste of Kent Community Culinary Tour concluded its annual journey, spotlighting two distinctive establishments: the minority-owned Spice Market, also known as Punjabi Bazaar, and the delightful Afghan Cuisine Restaurant. Tobi, the gracious host at the Afghan Restaurant, treated participants to a remarkable array of authentic dishes. The menu featured delightful items such as creamy Eggplant Borani Banjan, Stuffed Bolani bread with Spiced Potatoes, Lamb Kebobs with pilau rice, Spiced Spinach with Warm Naan, and a cup of Chai with milk—a culinary extravaganza that left a lasting impression. Tobi, alongside other Afghan culinary experts, has been dedicatedly working to reshape the perception of Afghanistan in the West by introducing Afghan cuisine, particularly in Kent, Washington.
Afghan Cuisine
Address: 25684 104th Ave SE, Kent, WA 98030
Phone: (253) 236-4452
The tour also included a visit to Punjab Bazaar, the charming spice shop owned by Jinder. Participants experienced warm hospitality as Jinder enthusiastically shared delightful sweets from his extensive collection of Indian treats. The day unfolded as a captivating journey of spice exploration, shedding light on the historical significance of spices along ancient trade routes connecting the East to the West. It showcased their continued relevance in modern kitchens, where culinary artists skillfully craft flavorful masterpieces.
Punjabi Bazar
Address: 24030 132nd Ave SE A, Kent, WA 98042
Phone: (253) 277-3098
For many attendees, establishments like Punjabi Bazaar, recognized for their cleanliness and organization, hold significant value, meeting the needs of those who incorporate spices into their daily cooking routines. Businesses like Punjabi Bazaar and Afghan Cuisine are pillars of cultural development within the community, providing opportunities for people to travel and explore other cultures. The Taste of Kent will resume new and exciting Culinary Heritage Tours in 2024.
Moments from our Journey
Taste of Community
September 16, 2023
Byblos Mediterranean Market
Culture Generation hosted A Journey to Thailand — a cultural and culinary immersive experience that welcomed guests from as far as Texas, Portland, and Boise, Idaho, right here to Kent, Washington, to discover the richness of Thai food and heritage within our local immigrant community.
On September 16th, culinary enthusiasts gathered from across Washington and overseas to embark on an extraordinary journey, the Taste of Kent, Taste of Community tour, led by the renowned Chef Arokiasamy. This remarkable adventure commenced at the Greater Kent Historical Society, also known as the Kent Museum, where participants had the opportunity to explore a meticulously staged 20th-century house and the captivating Snohomish Indians’ Welcome Figure.
Kent Museum
Address: 855 E Smith St, Kent, WA 98030
Phone: (253) 854-4330
The tour then proceeded to the Hong Kong Market, where Chef Arokiasamy enlightened the participants about the vast array of rice, spices, sauces, and vegetables, the fundamental building blocks of an authentic Asian kitchen. The market, unassuming from the outside, revealed a treasure trove of fresh of condiments used in crafting the cuisines of Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Hong Kong Market
Address: 320 E Meeker St, Kent, WA 98030
Phone: (253) 372-3738
The culminating stop of this captivating journey was the Thai Chili Restaurant, owned by the charismatic Nina Saisombut. Nestled in the heart of downtown Kent, this establishment is a beloved gem. Nina, not only a restaurateur but delights in sharing her heritage with others through traditional dances and music at local festivals. At the long communal table, beneath Chiangmai Umbrellas hanging from the ceiling, participants relished generous plates of Thai Noodles, forged new friendships. The experience left many yearning for another cultural excursion.
Thai Chili Restaurant
Address: 211 1st Ave S, Kent, WA 98032
Phone: (253) 850-5887
Don’t miss the opportunity to join our tours—a chance to savor the authentic flavors of immigrant cuisine, embrace the rich tapestry of our global culinary community, all set in the charming backdrop of Kent, Washington.
Moments from our Journey
Burmese Monastery
July 6, 2023
Byblos Mediterranean Market
Culture Generation hosted A Journey to Thailand — a cultural and culinary immersive experience that welcomed guests from as far as Texas, Portland, and Boise, Idaho, right here to Kent, Washington, to discover the richness of Thai food and heritage within our local immigrant community.
On July 6th, a group of food lovers from Washington embarked on the complimentary Taste of Kent, Taste of Community tour, led by world class Chef Arokiasamy. The adventure began at Hong Kong Market, where participants were enthralled by a vibrant array of Southeast Asian produce and ingredients, discovering the secrets to becoming a versatile cook. The tour then touched their hearts with a heartwarming visit to the Tipitaka Burmese Monastery, where they respectfully offered rice and fruits to the Burmese monk.
Continuing the journey, the tour delved into Kent’s rich heritage at the Greater Kent Historical Society, with its 20th-century staged house and the inspiring Snohomish Indians’ Welcome Figure, forging a connection with the region’s past. A leisurely stroll through historic Smith Street followed, with participants admiring restored homes from the Second World War era. The tour ended at Grandma Thai Restaurant, where an authentic plate of Bangkok Pad Thai and refreshing Iced Tea awaited, tantalizing their taste buds.
The culinary journey touched hearts and celebrated diversity, and left participants yearning for more while gaining insight into another culture. Don’t miss the opportunity to join our next tour on September 16th, 2023 – a chance to savor the authentic flavors of immigrant cuisine and experience their rich culture in charming Kent, Washington.
Moments from our Journey
