About Jess

Jess Murphy is a New Zealand born chef and co-owner/founder of Kai restaurant in Galway with her husband, Dave. She has been supporting UNHCR since 2017 and in April 2019 she travelled to Lebanon and Jordan to spend time with Syrian refugees and document some of the food heritage that risks being lost after eight years of war

Jess has written articles on her experiences with refugees and has supported UNHCR through events including being a key player in the Refugee Food Festival in Ireland in 2018.  She organized ‘the far-fetched’ dinner in Michelin starred restaurant, Loam, involving 3 Syrian chefs and bakers partnering with 3 Michelin starred Irish chefs.

Jess is currently developing an idea for a book of refugee recipes with UNHCR.