Refoodgees restaurant helps turn asylum seekers into chefs

A new restaurant near Brussels-Midi called Refoodgees offers asylum seekers a one-year culinary training course while serving up dishes from all over the world, thanks to the refugees’ recipe sharing.

Founder Arthur Fogel has 16 years of experience in the hospitality industry and had the idea for the restaurant while working as a dishwasher, Bruzz reports.

During that time, he worked with people from Sri Lanka and tasted their food.

Fogel noted that it was difficult for dishwashers to become cooks, especially because they often did not speak French or Dutch and had little experience in the kitchen, so he decided to open a restaurant with dishes from around the world where refugees can learn to become cooks and share their own recipes.

Refoodgees offers newcomers in Brussels a one-year training where they can learn to become a professional chef, or work as a waiter. After the training, Refoodgees helps them find a job or start their own restaurant.

Mate Maisuradze from Georgia is one of the graduates, and would like to open a restaurant in Brussels. He cooks Georgian dishes for Refoodgees while also learning more about European cuisine.

Refoodgees’ menu changes, but dishes have included curry, chicken yassa (from Gambia and Senegal), khinkali (Georgian ravioli), a Greek summer salad with tzatziki and ta'amiya (the Egyptian version of falafel).

Refoodgees also offers takeaway and catering, and is open Monday to Friday from 10.30 to 18.00.