Founded with Love
Started from a pop-up showcase in 2016
Our Story
Empowering Women ThroughFood & Community
Since 2016, Somali Kitchen has been Bristol's safe haven where women from migrant and ethnic minority backgrounds come together around healthy food, healthy families, and healthy lifestyles. Run by Somali women for women, we create spaces for progress, connection, and empowerment.
Community Driven
By and for women from migrant backgrounds
Safe Spaces
Where women connect, inspire and empower
Cooking Together
Community Spirit
Sharing Stories
Cooking Together
Community Spirit
Sharing Stories
Our Mission & Story
Somali Kitchen is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company bringing together women from minority and ethnic groups around the themes of healthy food, healthy families, and healthy lifestyles. Established in 2016 and registered in 2018, we are run by Somali women for women from migrant backgrounds living in Bristol.
Our journey began with a pop-up Somali kitchen in 2016 to showcase our beautiful cuisine. People loved the food, and this inspired us to create something bigger—an organization that truly understands and addresses the particular needs of BAME women in our community.
Working closely with Easton Community Centre, we create safe spaces where women can connect, talk about issues affecting them and their families, learn new skills, exercise, and enjoy delicious, nourishing food together. The kitchen holds a special place in our hearts—it's where women gather, support each other, and cook healthy meals for their families and friends.
Addressing Community Challenges
The Challenge We Face
Bristol has one of the highest densities of fast food outlets in the UK, and our neighborhoods have a huge number in close proximity to our homes and children's schools. This means our children and young people are exposed to unhealthy food choices constantly.
We've been exploring how the local environment shapes food habits in our community, homes, and our children's schools, and we're concerned about the negative impacts on our community's health and wellbeing.
Our Approach to Change
We believe in working together to create positive change. Through our programs, we promote fresh, nutritious food and help build a thriving, affordable local food culture that benefits everyone in our community.
Our work focuses on empowering women to develop healthy food cultures, build confidence in their abilities, and gain the skills they need to reach their full potential while supporting their families' wellbeing.
TEAM
Meet Our Team
We are a group of dedicated Somali women who have been meeting regularly and working tirelessly to build something meaningful for our community. Our leadership brings together years of lived experience, community organizing, and a deep understanding of the needs of women from migrant and ethnic minority backgrounds in Bristol.
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Food has the power to bring people together and create lasting change.
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Suad H Yusuf
Managing Director
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Every recipe shared is a story preserved for future generations.
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Sara Muse
Facilitator
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Supporting our community through organization and dedication.
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Zainab Sharif
Admin
Our Impact & Vision
Since our founding, we've been working tirelessly to create positive change in our community. From running projects at Wellspring Healthy Living Centre to providing direct aid during COVID-19, we've adapted to meet the evolving needs of women and families in Bristol. Here's what we've achieved together in our journey towards a healthier, more connected community.
500+
Community Members
1000+
Meals Shared
200+
Workshop Graduates
50+
Community Partners
Our Vision for the Future
We want to work with others in the community to improve the health of our families and provide a cleaner, healthier environment. We aim to promote fresh, nutritious food and a thriving, affordable local food culture in Easton.
As women passionate about improving our lives and creating better opportunities for the whole community, we invite you to join us in realizing this vision. Together, we can work towards a healthier future in Easton.