Thank you for a wonderful barbecue!
BBQ Without Borders is a day to show unity, cultivating a space where immigrants can celebrate their culture’s positive additions to our society.
Immigrants have long contributed valuable sustainable practices, from eco-friendly farming to a deep respect for nature, helping us “cook up” a more sustainable future.
This year, August 2025, three talented chefs joined as we create safe spaces to talk about challenging topics in a more digestible manner and raised money for our resilience fund.
Thank you to our sponsors for making BBQ Without Borders 2025 Happen!
Thank you to our Chefs, MCs, Performers, and team!
Chefs
MARIA MARQUEZ (TACOS MAMA CUCA)
Tacos Mama Cuca serves up authentic Sonoran-style Mexican cuisine. Founded by Chef Maria Marquez, this beloved East Bay food truck is rooted in tradition, resilience and bold flavor.
Program Update: Chef Maria Marquez of Tacos Mama Cuca has had a family emergency; longtime NINS supporter Chef Sincere Justice of Tacos Sincero will join in her stead. We ♥️ you Maria, Sincere, and the Tacos Mama Cuca and Tacos Sincero teams.
ANTHONY SALGUERO (POPOCA)
Popoca is a Salvadoran-inspired restaurant in the heart of Oakland. Popoca means “to emit smoke” in Nawat, the language of native people of El Salvador who stoked wood fires to prepare food over a comal for their families.
CAFE COLUCCI
Cafe Colucci is a small family run cafe founded by Fetlework Tefferi.They have been serving East African cuisine in Oakland since 1991!
SAM & WENTER (THIRD CULTURE BAKERY)
After falling in love in Berkeley, CA, Chef Sam Butarbutar and Wenter Shyu started their bakery journey together in 2016, offering pastries reflective of their childhood in Indonesia and Taiwan. Building a bakery to become a symbol of diversity, inclusiveness, and acceptance.
MC
TU DAVID PHU
Chef Tu David Phu, a San Francisco Chronicle Rising Star Chef and chef-partner at GiGi's, a Vietnamese-influenced wine bar in San Francisco, draws on his Oakland upbringing and the resilience of his refugee parents. His roots trace back to Phu Quoc, Vietnam, where his family has crafted artisanal fish sauce since 1895.
PERFORMERS
ROCKY RIVERA W/ DJ ROZA
NIA POLITAN
HIPLINE OAKLAND
BATALA SF
BARRIO MANOUCHE
MELI CRUZ
DIANA GAMEROS
ROZIHT EVE W/ NATARAJA
DJ ALEX PASTERNAK