
Join Afghan refugee Nahid Hamidi for an inspirational talk, as she shares her experience as a leader within the humanitarian sector, establishing an NGO in Afghanistan, and setting up The Afghan Kitchen in the UK, a pop-up restaurant that supports other refugees who have relocated to Yorkshire.
Nahid Hamidi fled Afghanistan in August 2021 when the Taliban took over. Her husband was an interpreter for the British Army, which made him and his family an immediate target. While in Afghanistan, she was the director of an international charity in the northern province of Badakhshan. It provided food, education, and medical assistance to women and children.
In 2023, Hamidi founded The Afghan Kitchen, a venture of pop-up restaurants that helps fellow Afghan refugees in Yorkshire to access work, while offering a taste of Afghan cuisine to local communities.
Attendees will be able to enjoy Afghan sweets and tea prepared by Nahid.
Free, booking recommended via Art Tickets, or call the gallery on 01274 737843.
Impressions Gallery is a charity and we fundraise for everything we do. If you enjoy our work and you can afford it, please support us by making a donation when you book your ticket, it all counts, thanks.
Photograph: Nahid Hamidi © Zoe Wright
Speaker
-
Nahid Hamidi
NGO founder and director
Nahid Hamidi fled Afghanistan in August 2021 when the Taliban took over. Her husband was an interpreter for the British Army, which made him and his family an immediate target. In Afghanistan, Nahid was the director of an international charity in the northern province, Badakhshan, which provided food, education, and medical assistance to women and children. After the family moved to Harrogate in November 2021, they began to meet local people and make friends. As is traditional in Afghanistan, everyone who visited the Hamidi home was offered an abundance of food. As most people were very complimentary about the food she gave them (with many regularly returning for more) Nahid soon realised that her new British friends loved Afghan flavours but had nowhere else they could experience them.
They also met other Afghan families recently settled in the area. Nahid quickly recognised how difficult it was for many of her fellow countrywomen who were unable to speak English, to integrate into day-to-day life and, in particular, to find work. With many of them also being great cooks, Nahid saw an opportunity to unite the needs of both her British and Afghan friends, and in 2023, the idea for The Afghan Kitchen was born. Since September 2023 The Afghan Kitchen has had six pop-up restaurants in both Knaresborough and Harrogate, with more planned in the next months. All events have welcomed over 60 people and Nahid and her friends have been overwhelmed by the positive response they have received.

Join our mailing list
News, events and more.