Meet a Sudanese American Chef
Chef Azhar Ahmed
Chef Azhar Ahmed is a Sudanese American chef who works at Sanctuary Kitchen, an organization that partners with refugee and immigrant chefs to build economic opportunity and intercultural understanding through food in the Greater New Haven area of Connecticut. Azhar was born and raised in Nuba Mountains in Khartoum, Sudan. In 2004, Azhar left her home country and immigrated to Egypt.
Chef Azhar Ahmed is a Sudanese American chef and former refugee who works at Sanctuary Kitchen, an organization that partners with refugee and immigrant chefs to build economic opportunity and intercultural understanding through food in New Haven, Connecticut.
Azhar was born and raised in the Nuba Mountains in Khartoum, Sudan. In 2004, Azhar was forced to flee violence in her home country and resettle in Egypt as a refugee. In 2015, Azhar and her family continued their journey and relocated from Egypt to the United States.
Despite the many changes Azhar experienced after fleeing Sudan, Azhar has always maintained her passion for cooking as it was and still is an important element of her culture. “Food is necessary for growth. In Sudanese culture, each dish is made to show the different parts of Sudanese traditions. Food is even tied to the seasons. It reminds us of where we come from.”
It was Azhar’s mother who first introduced her to cooking. “I used to watch my mom when she was cooking, but I didn’t begin cooking full meals until I got married and moved to Egypt. However, when I was a young girl, I loved baking sweets.” Cooking has not only given Azhar a way to stay connected to her family and culture, now it is also allowing her to build community in her new home.
In 2019, Azhar began working at Sanctuary Kitchen, an organization that provides culinary training programs and social enterprise, professional development and employment at an above-market wage for immigrants, refugees and asylum-seekers in greater New Haven.
The team at Sanctuary Kitchen believes that sharing a meal and personal stories is a strong and meaningful gesture of welcome and acceptance. The organization is committed to community and hopes that its programs will cultivate authentic connections between residents and new arrivals.
Through Sanctuary Kitchen, Azhar has found a way to celebrate her culture and cuisine while meeting refugees and immigrants from other backgrounds as well. “I enjoyed how Sanctuary Kitchen brings people together to explore the diversity of cuisine. This made me excited to work with the team.”
Chef Azhar currently works at Sanctuary Kitchen as an Operations Manager and welcomes new culinary students as a lead trainer. She uplifts Sanctuary Kitchen’s mission to use food to bring people to the table, enrich lives, and foster mutual understanding across diverse cultures in the most delicious way possible.
Salat Aswad Recipe
Try out Chef Azhar’s take on a traditional Sudanese recipe for Salat Aswad!
Ingredients
- 1 fresh eggplant
- 2 tablespoon peanut butter
- 2 tomatoes
- 1 squeezed lemon
- 1/2 cup grated carrot, leave some for garnish
- 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
- 1/2 chopped parsley, leave some for garnish
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 table spoon salt
- 1/2 table soon black pepper
Instructions
- Peel and dice the eggplant.
- In a skillet, heat the oil to medium high heat and add the diced eggplant.
- Stir occasionally and cook until eggplant softens, about 20 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix together the tomato, yogurt, peanut butter and salt.
- Add in the lemon juice and combine well.
- Gently stir in the bell pepper and tomatoes, add in the garlic, black pepper and eggplant.
- Garnish with cilantro and serve with flat bread.
Take Action
Learn More
Sudan has been grappling with conflict and mass displacement since the start of the Darfur crisis in 2003. The recent conflict that began in April 2023 has forcibly displaced nearly 8 million people across Sudan and into neighboring countries. Watch USA for UNHCR’s Sudan explainer video to learn more about this crisis.
View an Art Collection
The Imago Mundi Collection presents Sudan Aesthetic Vestiges. This virtual art collection features the work of contemporary artists from Sudan who combine elements of Islamic and African culture, as well as reflections of ancient Nubia and Western influences, to create a rich combination of different expressions.
Sponsor a Refugee
Through Welcome Corps, Americans can apply to sponsor a refugee or refugee family from overseas and welcome them to your community by helping them to find and prepare housing, secure employment and enroll children in school. Learn more about how you can sponsor a refugee to come to the U.S.
Sign an Advocacy Petition
With more than 114 million people globally forced to flee their homes because of war, violence or persecution – including millions from Sudan — we must act in solidarity and welcome people seeking safety from conflict. Sign our petition if you believe that seeking safety is a fundamental human right.
Explore Sudan's Pyramids
Meroë is the ancient capital of the Kushite Kingdom, located in Sudan’s Nile Valley. The city is marked by more than 200 unique Nubian pyramids. Explore the ancient pyramids of Meroë.
Watch a Slam Poetry Performance
UNHCR, in collaboration with the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, presents Emi Mahmoud—Sudanese American slam poet, humanitarian advocate and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador. Emi brings a message of hope, solidarity and compassion for refugees everywhere.
Shop Refugee-Made Products
MADE51 creates opportunities for refugees to earn income through dignified work that makes use of their valuable skills, traditions and heritage. Crafted by a multicultural group of refugees from Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Syria, each handmade scarf reflects a personal artisan story and skill.
Meet a Sudanese American Chef
Azhar Ahmed is a Sudanese American chef who works at Sanctuary Kitchen, an organization that partners with refugee and immigrant chefs to build economic opportunity and intercultural understanding through food. Learn more about Azhar and her delicious recipes.
Listen to Music
Abbas (Bas) Hamad is a Sudanese American rapper who is using music to process his feelings about the conflict in Sudan. Bas recently released his single, ‘Khartoum,’ featuring Nigerian artist Adekunle Gold. The song highlights the ongoing war and the struggles of the Sudanese people.
