Calling all aspiring culinary entrepreneurs! Enrollment for the 2026 Nibble Entrepreneurship Program is now open!

Application Deadline: December 14th, 2025

If you are interested please fill out this form, (Spanish version, Portuguese version) send to us and we will set up an interview with you.

Nibble Entrepreneurship Program (NEP)

Now in its 14th year, “NEP” empowers members of our local immigrant communities to explore what it entails to launch a culinary career and test food business ideas. Part of our mission is to support low-income entrepreneurs and to offer a chance to test restaurant concepts in a low-risk environment- while promoting cultural exchange through globally inspired food. What makes NEP unique is the combination of classroom experience and real-life vending opportunities. Our entrepreneurs:

  • receive business development instruction and mentoring through workshops by industry professionals
  • have the opportunity to hone and share their cooking — by teaching classes, receiving feedback and mentorship from culinary professionals, and vending at Nibble Kitchen restaurant in Union Square
  • receive hands-on experience and training at a fraction of the cost of any community college or Center for Adult Education
  • attend bilingual business workshops; translation offered for all one-on-one mentoring
  • receive access to further vocational resources

NEP Accomplishments 

Since 2015 we have worked with 40 entrepreneurs who hail from countries including El Salvador, Mexico, Colombia, Somalia, Ethiopia, Brazil and Bangladesh. Each year the number of participants and vending opportunities has grown, with over 65% of NEP graduates going on to participate in opportunities such as leading cooking classes, vending at Nibble Kitchen, selling at Farmers’ Markets and City Festivals, and so on. Since 2015, NEP entrepreneurs have vended with Nibble (festivals, catered events, farmers markets, pop-up restaurants) over 200 times. Since opening Nibble Kitchen restaurant full-time we have had almost 15 full-time Chefs-in-Residence, plus an additional 25+ Chefs utilizing the kitchen for wholesale production, leading classes and hosting supper clubs, hosting pop-ups, and now selling packaged products directly to consumers via the Nibble Kitchen Retail Marketplace.

Our Vibrant Immigrant Communities

The Nibble Entrepreneurship Program focuses on serving immigrant and historically underserved communities. At Nibble Kitchen we strive to create access to business and placemaking opportunities, and do all that we can to lower the barriers to entry for aspiring storytellers and food business owners. In the United States, immigrant-owned businesses fuel the economy and, according to every US Census conducted since 1880, are twice as likely to start a new business compared to those born in the U.S. — often those businesses are food related. At Nibble Kitchen our goal is to help celebrate and preserve the diverse flavor of Somerville, support business development and cultural representation, and create a safe space for multicultural exchange where all peoples (and flavors!) are celebrated.

Become a Culinary Entrepreneur!

Do you love to cook? Do you want to celebrate and share your culture through food? Are you curious about learning more about what it takes to launch a culinary career? Nibble could be the right opportunity for you!

Comments or questions: Somerville Arts Council, phone: 617.625.6600, x 2985;

Email Anthony Baum, abaum@somervillema.gov.

Some NEP Partners

NEP Case Study 

Chef Abdullah Srour, originally from Jordan, has been part of the Nibble Entrepreneurship Program since 2021. Abdullah specializes in Jordanian cuisine, with staples like falafel pita wraps, chicken shawarma plates, and mujadara (a delicious blend of lentils and bulgur with fried onions and yogurt sauce. Since joining the Nibble Program in 2021, Chef Abdullah completed the NEP workshop series, operated as the Nibble Kitchen Chef-in-Residence for a full year, and vended at numerous festivals and Farmers’ Markets in partnership with the Commonwealth Kitchen program. After graduating from Nibble Kitchen Chef Abdullah always kept in close touch with the Nibble team and, through his own hard work and determination, Chef Abdullah returned to Bow Market to open his own restaurant full-time, follow Abdullah’s and Petra Mediterranean Cuisine’s journey here!

If you are interested please fill out this form, (Spanish version, Portuguese version) send to us and we will set up an interview with you.