Chefs showcase 'dangerous' global tastes

By Katie Anderson and Danielle Wayne
BengalNews Reporters

 Fine dining in Buffalo will have an international transformation when Dinner with Danger joins forces with Journey’s End Refugee Services Inc. in a six-dinner series.
 On May 14, O’Connell’s American Bistro, located at 981 Kenmore Ave., will be inviting refugees in the area to prepare foods from their homeland.
 For the past two years, Dinner With Danger has been a unique way of exploring local talent through off-menu dinners. Organized by Michael Bernhardt, these dinners provide local chefs with the opportunity to be creative by offering unique dishes.
  “I create opportunities for chefs to go off-menu, with minimal risk,” Bernhardt said

Michael Bernhardt, organizer of Dinner with Danger, speaks about O'Connell's American Bistro as a venue for upcoming refugee dinner series:


 Each event in the six-dinner series will feature a buffet-style meal prepared by refugees who will represent their country with the food they cook. Proceeds from each dinner will go to Journey's End Refugee Services Inc.
 Bernhardt organizes the dinners but leaves it up to Journey’s End to select a chef.
 “We ask our clients or former clients who are good cooks or actual chefs to prepare foods that represent their country,” said Brian Brown-Cashdollar, development coordinator at Journey’s End.
 Many refugees participate in a culinary program at Journey’s End that helps establish both cooking and communication skills. Many refugees start out in the culinary field because it does not require much vocabulary, Brown-Cashdollar said.
 “To work in the restaurant industry, you need about 500 words of English,” Brown-Cashdollar said. “So, it’s one of the easiest industries for someone who’s just learning the language to get started in.”
 Congolese, Cuban, Ethiopian/Eritrean, Bhutanese, Sudanese, and Persian dishes will be presented to culture-craving foodies. Tickets can be purchased for $40 online at dinnerwithdanger.com.
 Some patrons of past Dinner with Danger events said it is a good way to meet new people and try new things.
 “You sit down, sharing a table with complete strangers and end up with a new group of friends,” said Rudy Witkins, faithful participant in the Dinner with Danger events.
 Witkins said that he is looking forward to the refugee dinner series and that it will be a good opportunity to learn about another culture.
 “It’s a win-win,” he said. “The refugee agency gets exposure to a new group of folks and gets a sizable donation. We get delicious food and the opportunity to meet people in our community.”
  The dinner series will also help spread awareness of refugees in the community, said Brown-Cashdollar.
 “The goal of this is to make people aware of the impact that refugees have on the West Side and throughout Buffalo,” he said.
 Bernhardt also said the fundraisers that were held to gather food and money donations for the series will benefit the refugees and help create awareness.
  “Many people are not aware of the extent of refugees in Buffalo,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to create new food experiences and raise money for a good cause.”
 he first dinner, on May 14, will be Ethiopian/Eritrean. The following dinners will be held June 11, July 16, August 13, September 17, and November 19. Edited by Jacob Tierney