PROJECT :

This MetroEast Community Media Original docuseries takes us on a food journey through east Portland and Gresham. Imagine Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown but at local grocery stores with a host named Jessica. Food Foray explores different cultures through the eyes of an immigrant foodie, as we wander through the aisles of local international grocery stores, cook a unique meal and sit around the table with friends and family. The first three episodes explore cuisines from the Republic of Georgia, Oaxaca Mexico and Myanmar (Formerly Burma).

 

APPROACH :

We have all seen the Netflix and Hulu food shows, but none of them are quite like Food Foray. We decided to use a unique three-part format: we start inside different International grocery stores learning about unique goods, then move to our immigrant foodie guest's kitchen to cook an authentic cultural meal with the items bought from the store and end at the dinner table with friends and family where we are able to create an intimate atmosphere and get into deeper topics of geopolitics, identity, humor and love. Food is really just the jumping off point to get to know our immigrant and refugee neighbors, but it is also a superb excuse to see incredible foods being prepared that are not typically known in American culture. Something that Food Foray has that other shows don't is our focus on the raw and personal conversations we engage in during the dinner scene which brings up topics around immigration, identity, and resilience. Addiitonally, we hope to inspire folks to shop at their local international stores while promoting some incredible independently owned immigrant businesses in East County.

 

RESULTS:  

"As relatable and personal as a gathering around the kitchen table" - The Oregonian

 

Since its launch, Food Foray has grown beyond a docuseries into a community-centered experience that uses food and storytelling to foster connection across cultures. The series won Best Docuseries at the Oregon Documentary Film Festival and has screened at festivals across the country, including the Lake Placid Episodic Festival and PDX Panorama, as well as internationally. The project has also received media coverage from The Oregonian , KGW, the Gresham Outlook , the Portland Tribune , and KBOO, helping introduce the series to broader audiences. Beyond the festival circuit, Food Foray has been showcased at venues throughout the Portland region—including the Hollywood Theatre, Milagro Theatre, The Tomorrow Theater, and in partnership with the Portland EcoFilm Festival. We have collaborated with community partners including Rockwood Market Hall, Feed the Mass, Midway Business Association, and East Metro Arts, Culture & Community to create immersive screening experiences featuring meals prepared by the immigrant chefs and families featured in the series, live performances, and audience Q&As. These events have provided paid opportunities and increased visibility for immigrant-owned businesses while creating welcoming spaces for dialogue and cross-cultural connection. Working alongside organizations such as El Programa Hispano and Loco Por La Aventura, we have also expanded access through bilingual programming and community outreach, demonstrating how documentary storytelling can strengthen local partnerships and bring communities together around food, culture, and conversation. As the project continues to grow, we are exploring new distribution opportunities to bring these stories to even wider audiences.