Asempe has always been more than simply a place to eat—it’s been a home away from home for so many of us. I first met Chef Kuukua as a customer, but over time, her food, her space, and her energy became a source of comfort and belonging. Whenever I needed to feel held or find a sense of home, Asempe was where I would go. The warmth and care that filled those walls touched countless lives in our community.

Now, Asempe is preparing to close its doors in Ithaca. This transition is about more than just saying goodbye to a beloved local spot; it’s about helping a friend and her staff move forward with dignity and hope. The owner is working hard to create a clean finish and a fresh new beginning, making sure her staff has a decent cushion as they face the sudden loss of their employment. Her care for her team and her commitment to doing right by them is truly inspiring.

I’m reaching out to our community to help send Asempe off with a wave of support. Your contribution will help create a clean slate for the future by covering final closing costs and provide the staff with some security as they transition to what’s next and keep the dream alive. Let’s come together to show our gratitude for all the comfort and joy Asempe has given us, and help them step into their next chapter with hope and strength.

A note below from Chef Kuukua and the Asempe Kitchen Family...

"Why Asempe Kitchen Matters

Asempe Kitchen has always been more than a place to eat. It was built on a simple but powerful belief: food is love, food is culture, and food is how we care for one another. Every dish was an offering.

Founded by Chef Kuukua, Asempe was built on a deep love for feeding people—not just food, but culture through cuisine. Each dish told a story. Each meal was an act of care.

Asempe welcomed people into the culinary traditions, flavors, and nourishment that had been passed down through generations.

It was a gathering place, a cultural bridge, a labor of love, and a living expression of heritage through food. Through joy, challenge, celebration, and community, Asempe became a space where people felt seen, fed, and connected.

This decision did not come lightly. Like many small, mission-driven food businesses, the reality is that a continued lack of foot traffic, paired with the challenges of the current economic climate—rising costs and changing spending patterns—has made it impossible to sustain day-to-day operations in this location.

As Asempe Kitchen prepares to close its doors in early February, we are coming together to ensure this chapter ends with the same integrity, care, and generosity that defined its existence. We are reaching out with humility, gratitude, and hope.

Our Goal: $20,000

Your support will help us:

- Provide a financial cushion for our full time staff, who showed up daily with heart, pride, and excellence

- Create a clean slate for the future allowing this chapter to close with integrity and peace

- Clear any lingering closing costs

Closing with Care

This fundraiser is not about loss—it’s about honoring what we built and ensuring that the people who carried Asempe forward are supported as they transition.

While this chapter is coming to an end, the legacy of Asempe Kitchen lives on in every person it fed, the culture it celebrated, and every memory shared around its table.

How You Can Help

- Donate if you are able

- Share this campaign with your community

- Leave a message of love, gratitude, or remembrance

- Show up for lunch of dinner in the next two weeks

- Buy merch (aprons, spices, hot sauce)

- Sign up for Cooking Classes

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps ensure Asempe Kitchen closes with dignity, gratitude, and care.

To everyone who dined with us, told a friend, took a chance and tried something new for the first time, booked us for catering or a celebration, attended a cooking class, shared kind words, posted about us, or simply kept coming back: Yedaase! Thank You! You gave this dream life! Ithaca, you made space for us, and we will never forget that.

With deep appreciation and love,

The Asempe Kitchen Family"