Our Story
From distant homelands to our Los Angeles kitchen, we share food rooted in heritage and resilience, with proceeds supporting The Tiyya Foundation.
Flavors from Afar: A Global Taste Journey
Flavors from Afar is a woman- and refugee-led social enterprise rooted in Southern California. Founded by Meymuna Hussein-Cattan, we began in 2018 as a catering service to support the Tiyya Foundation. We opened our brick-and-mortar in Little Ethiopia in 2020 and are now in East Hollywood.
Where Cuisine Changes Lives
We celebrate the culinary heritage of refugee and asylum-seeking chefs by providing employment, professional training, and a pathway to economic self-sufficiency. A Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient, Flavors is known for its globally inspired dishes and strong social impact. Revenue is shared between the chefs, Tiyya’s free community programs, and the restaurant.
A Place to Learn, Share, and Connect
More than just a place to dine, Flavors from Afar is a cultural hub—hosting storytelling dinners, private events, and high-profile gatherings, including catering the inaugural UN Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund gala. Since opening, we’ve trained and employed over 25 refugee chefs from around the world.
Beyond Dining: A Global Gathering Place
To diversify our revenue, we offer catering, private dinners, cooking classes, event space rentals, and The Refuge—a daytime coworking café. At its core, Flavors from Afar is an international gathering place where food becomes a powerful tool for connection, resilience, and cultural exchange.
Refugee Chefs
Our award-winning social enterprise celebrates the rich traditions of our chefs, inviting you to share in a heartfelt cultural exchange. Each dish, crafted by immigrants and refugees, carries family recipes passed down with love through generations. We have been recognized by Bon Appetit, Eater LA, Food52, LA Times, and more.
Our Promise
Flavors From Afar provides LA food lovers a unique opportunity to discover hard-to-find meals from around the world. Our chefs, from refugee and immigrant backgrounds, create authentic dishes that reflect the care and quality of homemade cooking, fostering both cultural connections and positive community impact.