Our team

  • Holly Griffin

    FOUNDER

    Pākehā and English. Grew up in Waitaha Canterbury.

    Background in humanitarian aid work, refugee support, community wellbeing and development.

    Comfort food: kimchi cheese toasties or any kind of soup!

  • Chelsea Lewis

    COORDINATOR

    Māori (Ngāi Takoto) and European. Moved to Ōtautahi in 2023.

    Studies at the University of Canterbury, Pilates teacher, background in retail, hospitality, and community development.

    Favorite food: Nana’s rice pudding.

  • Anzeel Chitrakar

    FINANCE AND CATERING OFFICER

    Nepali. Moved to Ōtautahi 5 years ago.

    Background in finance and accounting.

    Favorite meal: Nepali Dal Bhaat, the best version is always cooked by my mum.

  • Samuel Hidray Equbazgi

    EVENT COORDINATOR

    Eritrean. Settled in Ōtautahi in 2019.

    Background in social work, journalism and community development.

    Favorite dish: the Eritrean dish Gomen, braised greens and spices, served with Injera, sourdough pancake.

  • Anu Khapung

    EVENT COORDINATOR

    Nepali. Moved to Waitaha Canterbury as a primary schooler.

    Background in dance, Pilates and fitness instruction.

    Favorite food: any kind of vegetarian snacks!

  • Rose Shayler

    COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

    Pākehā. Grew up in Ōtautahi.

    Background in communications, marketing and photography.

    Favorite food: Tom Yum soup (or anything really spicy!).

  • Meron Semere

    ERITREAN COOKS COLLECTIGE LEAD

    Eritrean. Settled in Ōtautahi as a teenager.

    Favorite ingredient: garlic, because it makes everything taste better!

  • Semira Solomon Hayle

    ERITREAN COOKS COLLECTIVE

    Eritrean. Settled in Ōtautahi in 2019.

    Favorite food: Eritrean Chicken stew, Doro Wat, because we always make this for special occasions.

  • Atsede Abraham

    ERITREAN COOKS COLLECTIVE

    Eritrean. Settled in Ōtautahi in 2019.

    How did you learn to cook? From my mum and my community.

  • Husna Mohammad

    ERITREAN COOKS COLLECTIVE

    Eritrean. Settled in Ōtautahi in the early 2000s.

    A pro at making Zalabia, North African round donuts.

  • Semhar Gebrenigus

    ERITREAN COOKS COLLECTIVE

    Eritrean. Settled in Ōtautahi in 2018.

  • Freweini Eyob Berhe

    ERITREAN COOKS COLLECTIVE

    Eritrean. Settled in Ōtautahi in 2019.

    Favorite food: Eritrean Chicken stew, Doro Wat, because it’s so yum!

  • Zahra Nazary

    AFGHAN COOKS COLLECTIVE

    Afghan, born in Tehran, Iran. Settled in Ōtautahi in 2019.

    Favorite dish to cook: Bolani because everyone always loves to eat it.

  • Latifa Mohseni

    AFGHAN COOKS COLLECTIVE

    Afghan. Settled in Ōtautahi in 2019.

    Favorite dish to cook: Mantu (Afghan dumplings).

  • Sakina Hosseini

    AFGHAN COOKS COLLECTIVE

    Afghan. Settled in Ōtautahi in 2019.

    Favorite food: Mantu (Afghan dumplings), but I prefer to cook these for others to eat!

  • Alysha Vauju

    NEPALI COOKS COLLECTIVE

    Nepali. Moved to Ōtautahi 10 years ago.

  • Tulasha Kalwar

    NEPALI COOKS COLLECTIVE

    Bhutanese Nepali. Settled in Ōtautahi 15 years ago.

    Favorite ingredients: spices and herbs, they’re good for our health.

  • Shova Khapung

    NEPALI COOKS COLLECTIVE

    Nepali. Moved to Waitaha Canterbury, then Ōtautahi, 20 years ago.

    Favorite dish to cook: momos, Nepali dumplings, easy to make and tasty!

  • Chinyu Li

    ARA PRACTICUM STUDENT

    Chinese New Zealander.

    I love everything about food!

  • Emily Gillingham

    IMPACT ADVISOR

    English. Moved to Aotearoa in 2022.

    Background in impact, evaluation and marketing.

    Vegan and proud!

  • Thea Martinez

    ARA PRACTICUM STUDENT

    Filipino. Moved to Ōtautahi as a teenager.

    Favorite thing to cook: Spicy Korean Noodles because it’s tasty and healthy.