Barwin Aibesh is the owner and chef of Aleppo Kitchen. Originally from Syria, she is a wife, mother of five and former high school history teacher, passionate about bringing traditional Syrian food to her new community.
In addition to delicious, fresh falafel, Aleppo Kitchen offers a wide variety of Syrian food—including baklava, baba ghanoush, kofta, hummus, fattair and makdous!
“I like having my own business because I get to share with American people here about Syrian food and tell them about Aleppo,” Barwin shared. “People ask me about Aleppo and where it is, and I get to tell them about it and all of the good food from there.”
Launched in 2018, the IRC in Atlanta’s Microenterprise Development (MED) program provides financial coaching, lending services—including business start-up loans and credit-building loans—and training and technical assistance for refugee-owned businesses in the Metro Atlanta area. “IRC helped me with the idea of opening my business,” Barwin continued. “I was making food but did not know that I could make money from doing it. I worked with IRC to learn how to sell my food—they connected me to a farmers' market and helped me to get my business license, ServSafe certification and business insurance. They also helped with marketing and developing my Facebook page and website. All of this helped my business go up, now I have more customers and make more money."
Before COVID-19, Barwin enjoyed catering events and parties. However, when the pandemic hit Georgia last spring, she pivoted her business to operate mainly through farmers’ market stalls around Atlanta. Barwin worked with the IRC’s MED Program Coordinator, Jennifer Potts, to apply for a Western Union Business Relief Grant and used the funds to buy a falafel fryer to introduce a new product to her market customers—now one of Aleppo Kitchen’s most popular menu items!
In addition to delicious, fresh falafel, Aleppo Kitchen offers a wide variety of Syrian food—including baklava, baba ghanoush, kofta, hummus, fattair and makdous! To experience and enjoy some of Barwin’s amazing dishes, you can contact her via the Aleppo Kitchen Facebook, Instagram or website, or visit one of her regular farmers market stalls:
Wednesday: Decatur Farmers Market 4-7pm (Every week)
Thursday: East Atlanta Village Farmers Market 4-8pm (Every week)
Saturday: Oakhurst Farmers Market 9-1pm (Every week)
Sunday: Avondale Estates Farmers Market 10-1pm (Every week)
Sunday: Grant Park Farmers Market 9-1pm (Every other week)
“Much of the IRC MED program’s success is made possible by Georgia community members who support these growing businesses—as volunteers, donors, interns, mentors and patrons,” shared Jennifer. “We know that refugees bring many skills, strengths and talents with them as they rebuild their lives in the United States and we are honored to support entrepreneurial and resilient individuals—like Barwin—in the pursuit of their own American dream.”
When asked what advice she would give to other women looking to open their own business, Barwin shared, “I would tell her that if she doesn't know or has questions, to look for help and ask for it. If I hadn't known about the IRC, my business couldn't have gotten to where it is today. It's ok to have support from people who can tell you about things you have to do to get your business started and grow it.”
Try some of Barwin's incredible food at the CRSA World Refugee Day Celebration in Clarkston this Sunday, June 27!
The IRC in Atlanta’s MED Program Coordinator, Jennifer Potts, is available to help new and existing refugee business owners. If you need assistance with your business, please contact Jennifer during normal business hours (Monday to Friday between 9 am and 5 pm) at Jennifer.Potts [at] Rescue.org or 678-636-8961.
To learn more about the work of the IRC in Atlanta and for information on how you can get involved with the IRC as a donor or volunteer, please contact Development Manager, Kalie Lasiter, at Kalie.Lasiter [at] Rescue.org or 678-636-8941.
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