Reports on SKP: Culinary Training for Refugees in Athens

Project Report | Mar 5, 2026
Welcoming New Faces to the SKP Team!

By Evelina Eskenazi | Founder and Director

Saffron Kitchen Project (SKP) has started 2026 with a real sense of momentum. The year has already brought a lot of activity in the kitchen, and the need for meals in our community remains as urgent as ever. Every day we are reminded that access to nutritious food and supportive community spaces continues to be essential for many people in Athens.

Our takeaway meal distributions have now reached around 250 meals each day, meaning portions are peaking at 550 a day. With this growth comes the responsibility to ensure that everything runs in a way that is organised, respectful, and fair for everyone who comes through our doors.

To support this, we are very happy to welcome two new members to the extended SKP team.

Alexandra, originally from Athens, has joined us as our part-time Community Engagement and Distribution Officer. Alexandra is helping ensure that our daily takeaway distributions run smoothly and with care, making sure the process is organised and dignified for everyone we serve. Alongside coordinating distributions, she is also helping us strengthen how we collect and understand information about our work. From improving our feedback forms to tracking patterns in the services we offer, Alexandra is helping us stay on top of the evolving needs in our community and across the wider network of partners we work with. Her energy, dedication and fresh ideas are already making a big difference, including ensuring we stay on trend on our social media and communications! Alexandra also brings a calm and grounded presence to the teams as the resident yogi, she manages to keep everything feeling relaxed and balanced, even during the busiest of distributions.

We are also lucky to have Mathilde, an intern joining us for the next six months. Originally from France, Mathilde has many years of experience in Athens and knows the local context very well, having volunteered with many of our partners and colleagues working across the field. At SKP, she is dedicating her time to researching alternative sources of funding and sponsorship, something that is incredibly valuable for a small grassroots organisation like ours. Having someone able to focus deeply on this work, and who understands the realities and needs of organisations like SKP, is a huge support for our team. Mathilde also brings great energy and creativity into the space. She is known for her fabulous nails and effortless sense of style.

We are incredibly grateful to welcome Alex and Mathilde to the SKP team. As our community continues to grow, so does the circle of people who make this work possible. It means a lot to welcome new faces, new ideas, and new energy into the kitchen, and we are very happy to have them as part of the SKP community. Together, we look forward to everything we can achieve in the months ahead!

Permalink

Dec 11, 2024
Last Class of 2024

By Evelina Eskenazi | Director

Celebrating Our Final Culinary Training Class of 2024

As we wrap up 2024, we are thrilled to share the highlights of our last Culinary Training class of the year! In October, 17 students successfully graduated from our Basic Culinary Training program, led by the much-loved Chef Pantelis, our IEK-certified trainer. Chef Pantelis’ passion and expertise left a lasting impression on the students, many of whom feel the experience is very informative and a meaningful opportunity.

A Year of Achievement and Growth

This year has been a remarkable journey for Saffron Kitchen’s Culinary Training programs. Across three training sessions, spanning both our Basic and Advanced Culinary Training courses, we proudly celebrated 48 graduates. Each graduate represents a unique story of determination, resilience, and hope for a culinary future. These individuals are now equipped with the skills and confidence needed to embark on or advance their careers in the hospitality world.

One of our recent graduates, Rania, beautifully captured the spirit of our training program:

"I feel so happy. I was so happy studying the new skills, knowing new friends from everywhere, and in the last class I felt like I’m in my family. We cook together, we help each other, and I feel like I knew them from a long time ago."

Her words remind us of the power of community and the role our kitchen plays in bringing people together while fostering growth and friendship.

Holistic Support for Lasting Success

This year, we continued our strong partnership with Echo100plus to ensure a holistic approach to our training. Together, we provided students with comprehensive support, from navigating the job market to securing the necessary paperwork for employment. This collaborative effort is vital in helping our graduates achieve sustainable livelihoods and build stable futures.

Our student, Simba's journey highlights how holistic training turns aspirations into career opportunities

"I wanted to advance, because I was already in the industry. I wanted to have a better salary, learn some more knowledge. From a dishwasher I wanted to advance to be a chef to be a top chef. After I finished the training, they helped us a lot, the integration team. They helped me find a job in the hotel industry and I now possess some certifications that have opened my career path."

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate the success of our graduates, we are already looking ahead to 2025. We remain committed to empowering more eager students, equipping them with life-changing skills, and supporting them in finding meaningful work opportunities.

Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Your support helps us continue making a positive impact in the lives of our students. Together, we are creating opportunities, fostering community, and building brighter futures.