Linda Marie Mogar
Dinete Thomas
Ursuline College
Nurete Brenner
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Conflict Kitchen came about six and half years ago as an art project, but is also a social enterprise. The co-founders are Jon Rubin and Dawn Weleski, both artists. Their vision is to utilize art and food as a means to build local community and promote dialogue while providing a unique and engaging experience in Pittsburgh, PA.
The Conflict Kitchen mission is to increase the diversity of discussion in public spaces and create a sense of curiosity within the Pittsburgh community about cultures and its peoples' actual lives. This type of discussion and the learning it creates are often inhibited by governmental rhetoric about the actual lives of people from other countries, especially in countries where the U.S. is involved in conflict. The goal of Rubin and Weleski is to help people admit their own lack of familiarity and avoid "inheriting" preconceived ideas from family, friends, and the media.
Conflict Kitchen utilizes the social relations of food and economic exchange to engage the public in discussions about countries, cultures, and people, focusing on areas subject to governmental rhetoric and media bias. Each Conflict Kitchen iteration begins with interviews from the country of conflict to gain their perspective on political issues, learn about the culture and its cuisine. It takes about two years for Weleski and the team to prepare for an iteration. At times they travel to other countries. Conflict Kitchen then sponsors events, performances, publications, and discussions that seek to expand the engagement of the public. The restaurant rotates identities in relation to geopolitical events.
To use art and food as a means to build local community and promote dialogue.
Conflict Kitchen has had a tremendous impact on the Pittsburgh community. Weleski noted that a survey taken indicated that most people were engaged with the information distributed by the kitchen and took it home to share with others and perform further research of their own.
Conflict Kitchen is also a social enterprise. Conflict Kitchen is one of a few art projects that is almost entirely self-sustaining. Ninety-seven percent of its revenue collected comes from food sales. The other three percent of revenue comes in the way of grants. Pennsylvania allows for a 3LC which is a low profit limited liability company created to bridge the gap between a non-profit and for-profit venture by providing a structure that facilitates investments in socially beneficial for-profit ventures.
Conflict Kitchen employees are unionized and are provided with bus fare to commute back and forth from work. In addition, after six months employment, employees are entitled to take a free class each semester at Carnegie Mellon University. Conflict Kitchen serves to build a bridge between the local community and a global world. Conflict Kitchen also serves as inspiration for other similar kitchens around the globe.
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Dawn Weleski, Co-Director
