Stories From Afar - RISE Together Social Dinner 2025

Join us for Stories from Afar: RISE Together Social Dinner 2025, our most meaningful and magical evening of the year.

This annual social dinner brings together community leaders, change-makers, food lovers, and supporters of RISE Culinary Institute to honor the stories, strength, and resilience of refugee and immigrant women.

You'll be immersed in a vibrant cultural celebration through:

Culinary Delights Savor a thoughtfully curated global menu, prepared by the women of RISE Culinary Institute in collaboration with the chefs of Saffron Valley Restaurants. Every dish shares a story, every bite supports a dream.

Photo & Storytelling Exhibit Experience our signature Stories from Afar exhibit—a powerful visual journey featuring portraits and personal stories of our RISE graduates in traditional attire, captured by renowned photographer, Heidi Gress (HMG Productions).

Inspiring Voices Hear directly from RISE alumni as they share how food, culture, and community have transformed their lives and futures.

RISE Impact in Action Discover how your presence and support directly fuel free culinary education, paid internships, and long-term economic empowerment for women rebuilding their lives in Utah.

• 3-Course Dinner Inspired by Our Students’ Cultures
• Immersive Storytelling & Cultural Exchange
• “Stories from Afar" Portrait Exhibit
• Live Testimonies from RISE Graduates
• Opportunities to Connect & Give Back
• Raffle Prizes
• Bollywood Live Performance
• Music and Dancing
• Cash Bar

When Women RISE, We All RISE Because this isn’t just a dinner. It’s a celebration of resilience, a gathering of hope, and a reminder that when women rise, we all rise.

Your ticket supports not just an evening of joy—but a future filled with dignity, opportunity, and community for women from around the world.

Parking: Free parking is available onsite.

Accessibility: Venue is ADA accessible.

Dress Code: Festive, business, or cultural attire encouraged—come celebrate colorfully.

RISE is a nonprofit that provides free, hands-on culinary training and job placement support to refugee and immigrant women from low-income households. Our mission is simple: to help women create a better future, one skill and one meal at a time.

Limited seating—reserve your spot today.

Host or Publisher Lavanya Mahate