Support Nada's Dream of Opening a Local Culinary Business

UPDATE

December 26:

Hello everyone and Happy Holidays!

I have an exciting update. I want to share with you my joy and good news that I’ve completed most of the procedures for opening my small business.

Thanks to your help and support, so far I was able to purchase a catering license and bakery license. I also passed my kitchen inspection, started working on a website, and bought some of the kitchen tools on my wish list to assist me.

This means so much to me and I’m truly grateful to you all for helping me bring my dream to light.

On the occasion of the holidays and New Years, I am happy to report that I am officially opening my business!

I’ll start by selling different kinds fresh homemade Arabic-style pasties and sweets. Followed soon by a full menu on weekends. Stay tuned!

To those interested, please send me your email and I will add it to my list.

You can also follow me on instagram at

Qamariya Kitchen

Original message:

My name is Neda Shaanon. I live in Woodstock, Vermont with my husband, Yusuf, and my two children who attend the local schools, Musa and Aliya. My dream is to open a small business selling Ethiopian, Yemeni, Moroccan, and Saudi meals and desserts and providing catering for celebrations.

I began cooking when I was ten years old. At a young age, in Yemen, I went to my local market to shop for fresh meat, fish, and chicken. I was taught by my mother and grandmother to choose the freshest, most beautiful ingredients, mix the spices, and select the most perfect produce. For me, cooking is an art. Making food that others find delicious brings me happiness and joy.

I am fundraising to buy the equipment and pay the fees that I need to get started. I would love to buy:

KitchenAid Stand Mixer for Making Bread

Thermometer

Cast iron pan

Disposable dishes for packaging food

Appliance for making Ethiopian bread

License for Kitchen

I truly appreciate your contributions and look forward to making food for our community!