Food. An Iraqi Refugee Couple. The American Dream. — Displaced Kitchens
Shared by Salah Saleh, CEO of BaiTi Food.
Every moment Ayman and Raya stepped out of their Baghdad home, it was a life or death decision. In Iraq, the bombings, kidnappings, and threats from lawless and government militias kept them in a constant state of fear.
Being a refugee is not a choice, it’s being forced to leave your childhood home, your memories, your roots and all of your personal attachments. Leaving it all behind, with an unlikely return to the motherland made them miss each detail of home, from the family interactions, to the trees, the birds and the crisp oxygen.
This short story is about an Iraqi couple by the name of Ayman Attar Bashi and Raya Thanoon who arrived to Austin, TX a couple years ago with absolutely nothing but a dream to survive and live the American dream.
Safety and security was all they were looking for when they arrived. With each American interaction, they encountered a warm welcome and genuine smiles. From the streets to the stores, it gave them a sense of security and relief, that even within forced circumstances they were happy to know their community was the perfect environment to rebuild and recreate their lives.
Safety and security was all what they were looking for when they arrived.
The first thing they did after their relief, was to find the food that they grew up eating. After tasting several Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurants, they discovered the flavors they knew from back home did not exist in Austin. Disappointed that the eateries had the right names but the flavors did not reflect what they knew. Ayman and Raya wanted to change that, and eager to do so in order to share and reflect the true flavors of Mediterranean food.
They like other hardworking and driven entrepreneurs researched and learned how to recreate the perception of an underdelivered product, in this case, Mediterranean & Middle Eastern food. Their mission was to give new meaning to the food they cook, cater, and communicate with. How to knock on the doors of the community and rally people to believe in their culinary agenda.
They started with only $100 and lots of love but after years of market research, overcoming language barriers and navigating bureaucracies, the couple launched Baiti Food in 2015. Baiti means “my home” in Arabic.
They started with only $100 and lots of love
They used creative and innovative marketing methods to advertise their catering services. A catering service that is now a popular catering company serving large scale events and corporate clients in the downtown and surrounding Austin market. Their free time is spent loving and adoring their 3 year old pride and joy daughter who is active and keeps them busy.
For over three (3) years, they continue to build on to their five-star culinary brand and top-notch hospitality. Proactively adding, maintaining and updating their offerings to serve up maximum satisfaction; and doing so by redefining the meaning of catering in its entirety. It has (and is) their mission to provide and create the finest meals and dining experiences for the Austin community and loving clients. They strive to exceed their customers’ expectations with innovative cuisine, exceptional service and creative presentation of menu items.
In 2017, BaiTi Food made their Vision, Values & Covenants real. BaiTi Food is now supporting, sponsoring and helping five local non-profit Organizations, Foundation for the Homeless, Inc, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Nueces Mosque at UT, Health Start Foundation and Refugee Services of Texas.
Their vision is central to the people who tirelessly support vulnerable populations. To work with compassion to build and/or rebuild, and to give people hope by sharing a meal with those who helped empower them to create their American dream. When you eat with Ayman and Raya, you unconditionally support important causes directly.
“While enjoying the meal, you will know that you have done something that may save lives or help others who are less fortunate,”
Founder of BaiTi Food
Ayman and Raya will be leading Komeeda’s Displaced Kitchens, “Feast of Baghdad” cooking up their favorite Iraqi flavors and sharing their story of struggle, refuge, and resilience to the SxSW community. RSVPs are open to the public with proceeds supporting Refugee Services of Texas-Austin welcoming and empowering displaced and vulnerable people in Texas.
Special thanks to…
Refugee Services of Texas-Austin team, from Miranda, Megan, Hampton, and Qahtan for their production support.
BaiTi Food team, Ayman, Raya, and Salah for their story, passion, and sharing their culinary culture through their Iraqi Feast
