Our Shared Table: ASI’s New Culinary Series

ASI believes that food is one of the most powerful ways to connect—with each other, with tradition, and with the world. Whether it’s a hands-on cooking class, a cozy dinner, or a lively lecture, ASI’s food programs are all about coming together to share, celebrate, and learn through the universal language of food. 

Over the years, ASI’s Nordic Table series has taken a deep dive into the foodways of the Nordic countries and the cuisines of people who’ve moved to and from those regions.

Now, ASI is excited to introduce a new chapter in this journey: Our Shared Table. 

This new series shifts the spotlight to our fellow Minnesotan neighbors—exploring how migration and cultural exchange shape what we eat, how we cook, and the stories we pass down through recipes. It’s a celebration of food as a living tradition, shaped by movement and connection. 

This summer and fall, Our Shared Table brings a global lineup of flavors to ASI’s kitchen. Chef Mimi Selam Asfaha will share vibrant vegetarian dishes from Ethiopia and Eritrea. Chef Jay James will take us into the heart of the Gullah Geechee culinary tradition. Heather Janz, also known as the Curry Diva, will introduce bold, spice-forward vegetarian cooking from Sri Lanka. Rana Olson will host a workshop featuring a summery Turkish spread—and finishing the season will be Manny Gonzalez of Manny’s Tortas, serving up comforting Mexican classics. 

• Ethiopian and Eritrean Cuisine on June 5—Cook alongside Chef Mimi Selam Asfaha in a hands-on workshop exploring Ethiopia and Eritrea’s rich, vegetable-forward culinary traditions.
• Gullah Geechee Cuisine on June 26—Chef James Johnson of Cooks of Hope shares vibrant Gullah Geechee dishes rooted in the foodways of the Carolina coastal lowlands in this demo-style class.
• A Vegetarian Sri Lankan Feast on July 24—Join Heather Jansz, the Curry Diva, for a flavorful Sri Lankan cooking demo featuring lentils, rice, greens, chutneys, and plenty of spice inspiration.
• A Turkish Lunch on August 9—Create a summery Turkish spread with Rana Olson in this hands-on workshop featuring börek, shepherd’s salad, and classic sides like muhammara and cacik.
• Kitchens of Hope on September 28—Authors Linda Svitak and Lee Svitak Dean host a roundtable with contributors to Kitchens of Hope, sharing stories of resilience, immigration, and food worldwide.
• Mexican Comfort Food on October 9—Manny Gonzalez of Manny’s Tortas leads a demo of comforting Mexican favorites like salsa verde chicken, rajas con crema, cilantro rice, and flan.