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Our story

Yahala Mataam CIC is a Social Enterprise based in York. It’s mission is to give opportunity, build confidence & restore dignity in the lives of Refugees and Asylum Seekers in York. It does so through a Pop-up restaurant, street food stand, catering business and a cookery school.

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The idea for Yahala Mataam came after sampling the food cooked by Syrians living in York. We've since gone on to make friends with and cook alongside refugees from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Guinea, Iran, & Ukraine.

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Yahala Mataam provides opportunity, builds confidence and restores dignity in the lives of refugees, asylum seekers and those who are marginalised due to conflict.

 

We recognise the societal biases that are opposing Women, those escaping conflict and those of other races; we purposely set out to give opportunity that is not available to the marginalised.

 

In each aspect of what we do - participants are empowered; be that to live life more confidently, interact with people in an English culture or move on to further employment.

 

As an organisation we trust one another in how we each work and lead - we recognise that this is a learning journey for everyone.

 

Refugee led at every level of the business we will empower refugees to be involved in leadership - on the ground leading in the kitchen, pioneering new ideas and part of the board.Eating togetherThe first seed of Yahala Mataam was planted at the table of a refugee family who invited an English native for a meal; there was generosity and enjoyment, sharing of cuisine and culture. As we grow and develop we invite you to sit and eat with us.

 

Through a number of food projects we enable the marginalised in York to flourish. Our vision is a fully functioning social enterprise, a successful and innovative broad business that runs restaurant evenings, provides catering for private events and a cookery school staffed by refugees and asylum seekers in York.

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