Five years ago during Ramadan in Austin, Ayesha Erkin launched what would become known as Brown Girls Food Club – a supper club experience centred on women from ethnic minorities and minority-owned food spaces. She and a few online friends started meeting in person to break their fasts together and then, after Ramadan, continued to meet at lesser-known food spots around the city.
“We started posting the restaurants we went to on social media, and garnered a lot of interest from other women in the city, so decided to extend the invite online,” Erkin tells The National.
Today, Brown Girls Food Club has divisions in cities across the US, as well as in London and Dubai. On Friday, it’s hosting an Eye on Sudan iftar at Kave in Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, bringing authentic Sudanese cuisine and traditions together for an evening of culinary delicacies and community building.
A club for all women
Erkin, who has mixed Turkic and Arab heritage, lived in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan before emigrating to the US in 2006 as a teenager. There, she learnt first-hand how food has the power to bring people together. As the new girl in high school, she ate lunch alone on her first day – and when she returned the next day, asked some girls if she could join them.
“They were so kind, and it was easier than I expected,” recalls Erkin. “Food became a medium for me to connect with others and during my four years in high school, I went out of my way to invite anyone who seemed like the 14-year-old foreigner version of me.”
For Erkin, making sure her initiative was centred on “brown girls” – or “women of colour” – who are doubly marginalised because of gender and race, was critical. “It didn't matter if you're black, Asian, Latina etcetera, having a space that was inclusive yet exclusive for a minority that continues to face discrepancies, was our way of making a haven for women, and supporting like-minded business,” she says.
As the group grew larger, it became apparent that the appetite was not only local, but international as well. Since the pandemic, the supper club fast-tracked its shift online, becoming a digital community with members across the globe.
At the end of last year, Brown Girls Food Club launched in Dubai, after Erkin had been discussing a potential regional group with Dubai resident Roha Daud, who is now head of community and growth.
The first local event was hosted at home-grown, female-owned Afghani restaurant, Kishmish. It falls under Brown Girls Food Club’s “Ingrained” series, which focuses on different rice and grain dishes from across the world.
What to expect from Eye on Sudan iftar
Chef Hanan Ahmed Kheir, who works with Sudanese farmers to export their products globally, will be preparing the menu. It will include traditional Sudanese dishes such as salata aswad (a black bean salad), dalee (a lamb or sheep rib cooked with spices, onion and garlic) and madedat helba (a dessert made from fenugreek seeds, milk, sugar and flour).
From the venues they select to the chefs they recruit, events are carefully curated with attention to detail and a powerful personal element. “In a world of faceless fronts and mass production, we work with real people," she says. "It always starts with their story – why are they cooking? What can we learn from them? What can we do to support them?
"We particularly try to use local chefs and concepts to uplift any disadvantaged populations. We don't shy away from 'difficult' conversations, instead, we encourage our chefs to proudly say and cook what their hearts tell them to.”
Daud adds the storytelling at the coming iftar will extend beyond the taste and history of the cuisine. It will shed light on the reality of farming in Sudan – a nation suffering severely from civil war, widespread displacement and looming famine. “The country has been at the top of our minds since the conflict started, and we wanted to connect our community to Sudan through a meal,” says Daud. “I truly believe in the power of food to build empathy for others.”
The holistic experience will also include interactive activities including a corner for Sudanese coffee brewed in traditional “jebena” pottery flasks, an opportunity to take photos in “toobs” – traditional Sudanese attire for women, and a table showcasing Sudanese perfumes and skincare products. And while most Brown Girls Food Club events are women-only, the Ingrained series is open to all – with the guestlist capped at 25. “We like to keep our supper clubs intimate, so they're as interactive as possible,” explains Daud.
Creating meaningful connections
Since its creation, members of Brown Girls Food Club have made meaningful social connections and unexpected culinary discoveries, Erkin says. She has developed a taste for Somali food – particularly, suugo suqaar, a spaghetti bolognese dish served with a banana. “I hadn’t known that Somalis eat their savoury meals with a banana to add in a sweet balance, and thought it was a genius – and delicious – approach,” she says.
Erkin believes Dubai is an optimal location for her initiative. She and Daud plan to expand the club’s footprint across the Middle East. “Despite it being diverse, many cities post-Covid saw a rise in the hunger for meaningful connections – Dubai being one of them,” says Erkin.
“And what better way to get to know one another than by breaking bread together?”
Eye on Sudan iftar is at Kave in Alserkal Avenue on Friday; tickets cost Dh330; seats are limited; thestoryofthings.com
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Netherlands v UAE, Twenty20 International series
Saturday, August 3 - First T20i, Amstelveen
Monday, August 5 – Second T20i, Amstelveen
Tuesday, August 6 – Third T20i, Voorburg
Thursday, August 8 – Fourth T20i, Vooryburg
Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Atalanta v Juventus (6pm)
AC Milan v Napoli (9pm)
Torino v Inter Milan (11.45pm)
Sunday
Bologna v Parma (3.30pm)
Sassuolo v Lazio (6pm)
Roma v Brescia (6pm)
Verona v Fiorentina (6pm)
Sampdoria v Udinese (9pm)
Lecce v Cagliari (11.45pm)
Monday
SPAL v Genoa (11.45pm)
Results
2-15pm: Commercial Bank Of Dubai – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Al Habash, Patrick Cosgrave (jockey), Bhupat Seemar (trainer)
2.45pm: Al Shafar Investment – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Day Approach, Ray Dawson, Ahmad bin Harmash
3.15pm: Dubai Real estate Centre – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Celtic Prince, Richard Mullen, Rashed Bouresly
3.45pm: Jebel Ali Sprint by ARM Holding – Listed (TB) Dh500,000 (D) 1,000m; Winner: Khuzaam, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
4.15pm: Shadwell – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Tenbury Wells, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.45pm: Jebel Ali Stakes by ARM Holding – Listed (TB) Dh500,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Lost Eden, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson
5.15pm: Jebel Ali Racecourse – Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Rougher, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
DSC Eagles 23 Dubai Hurricanes 36
Eagles
Tries: Bright, O’Driscoll
Cons: Carey 2
Pens: Carey 3
Hurricanes
Tries: Knight 2, Lewis, Finck, Powell, Perry
Cons: Powell 3
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
%20Ramez%20Gab%20Min%20El%20Akher
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Thanksgiving meals to try
World Cut Steakhouse, Habtoor Palace Hotel, Dubai. On Thursday evening, head chef Diego Solis will be serving a high-end sounding four-course meal that features chestnut veloute with smoked duck breast, turkey roulade accompanied by winter vegetables and foie gras and pecan pie, cranberry compote and popcorn ice cream.
Jones the Grocer, various locations across the UAE. Jones’s take-home holiday menu delivers on the favourites: whole roast turkeys, an array of accompaniments (duck fat roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in beef bacon, honey-glazed parsnips and carrots) and more, as well as festive food platters, canapes and both apple and pumpkin pies.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Hotel, Dubai. This New Orleans-style restaurant is keen to take the stress out of entertaining, so until December 25 you can order a full seasonal meal from its Takeaway Turkey Feast menu, which features turkey, homemade gravy and a selection of sides – think green beans with almond flakes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole and bread stuffing – to pick up and eat at home.
The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Dubai. From now until Christmas, Hattem Mattar and his team will be producing game- changing smoked turkeys that you can enjoy at home over the festive period.
Nolu’s, The Galleria Mall, Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. With much of the menu focused on a California inspired “farm to table” approach (with Afghani influence), it only seems right that Nolu’s will be serving their take on the Thanksgiving spread, with a brunch at the Downtown location from 12pm to 4pm on Friday.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
