In an effort to highlight immigrant contributions through culinary art, Oakland-based nonprofit No Immigrants No Spice (NINS) is set to host its summer fundraising event, BBQ Without Borders, on August 2.
Founded by emergency room doctor Vibha Gupta, NINS aims to use food as a conduit for sharing immigrant narratives. The organization took root after Gupta was inspired by a 2018 Trevor Noah comedy special that highlighted the importance of immigrants in American culture.
“If you hate immigrants, no immigrant food,” Noah quipped, to which Gupta found herself resonating deeply. She transformed her frustrations over the stigma faced by immigrants into a platform that celebrates their cultures through cuisine.
The BBQ Without Borders event is not just about the food—the event will bring together chefs from varied immigrant backgrounds, each showcasing their unique barbecue styles rooted in their cultural traditions.
This year’s featured chefs include Anthony Salguero from Popoca, who will present Salvadorian-inspired dishes; Daniel Yeshiwas and his team from Cafe Colucci, known for their Ethiopian specialties; and Maria Marquez from Tacos Mama Cuca, offering flavors from the Sonoran region of Mexico.
Yeshiwas has been a longtime supporter of NINS and emphasizes the importance of educating attendees about Ethiopian spices. “We’ll be there educating folks on different Ethiopian spices and their usage, showcasing the rich spices from Ethiopia and beyond,” he said.
The event, which broke ground in 2019, strives to create a communal atmosphere where food serves as a bridge for connection and storytelling. Gupta explained, “In many different ways, we use food to connect people, to break bread—no hot dogs or hamburgers. Instead, we focus on lechon, tandoori, or teriyaki, using food as a vehicle to share our stories.”
In addition to the culinary experience, BBQ Without Borders includes an exhibition that interweaves the chefs’ personal stories with art. Creative director Tiffany Trieu leads the effort, employing recycled materials to illustrate this year’s theme, “Toward A Greener Future.”
Trieu aims to shift the narrative surrounding sustainability, emphasizing that many immigrant communities already practice eco-friendly living. “We wanted to remove the idea of sustainability from capitalism and draw attention to authentic, community-driven practices that focus on reducing, reusing, and recycling,” she stated.
Carl Molina, the exhibits writer for NINS, collaborates with staff from the Angel Island Immigration Station to document diverse chef stories for the exhibition. He remarked on the wealth of narratives they have collected, expressing excitement for showcasing these personal anecdotes.
In addition to food and art, the BBQ Without Borders event will feature live performances, family-friendly activities, and special appearances by acclaimed Bay Area chefs such as Tu David Phu, a Top Chef contestant, and James Beard awardee Preeti Mistry, who will host a Pani Puri Party.
The goal of the event is to raise $50,000 to benefit the Resilience Fund, a collaborative initiative between NINS and the Unity Council that aims to provide mutual aid to immigrants facing barriers to traditional support systems.
Gupta expresses gratitude for the opportunity to create a secure and inclusive space amidst a divisive political climate. “It’s exciting to have a safe space where people can celebrate immigration, especially when current media narratives can feel frightening. It truly feels radical right now,” she stated.
For those interested in attending, tickets for BBQ Without Borders start at $85 and can be purchased via the No Immigrants No Spice website. The event will take place at the Oakland Museum of California, located at 1000 Oak St, from 3 to 7 p.m.
image source from：oaklandside
