In 2016, Shereen formed a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization called Delicious by Shereen. The organization’s mission is to empower the refugee community to use their cooking skills to support their families and affirm their dignity through work. As the adage goes, Delicious provides a hand up instead of a handout.

Delicious by Shereen quickly developed a loyal following around Winston-Salem, North Carolina as neighbors sought to welcome refugee families and help them get settled into the community. Although Shereen is beloved throughout the city, she prefers not to take the credit for her friends’ work. So she dropped her name from the brand, preferring just “Delicious” to describe the cultural culinary experiences crafted by this diverse group of resilient women.

Today the Delicious business model remains focused on affirming dignity through a shared love of cooking. Delicious team members are contractors, so they are able to choose their hours while tending to their other obligations as parents, neighbors, volunteers, and more. Most would say that they no longer consider “refugee” as a noteworthy part of their identity; instead, they are proud to call Winston-Salem home. Their gratitude can be seen through many acts of kindness — like meals donated to the Ronald McDonald House, homeless shelters, and other services supporting families in need.

Our vision is to open a facility that encompasses a certified commercial catering kitchen, a cooking class/demonstration space, and a community space where people can gather and learn more about the plight of refugees in the Triad in a safe, comfortable, social setting open to the public. Here we will share more stories and build more bridges in our community. In the meantime, we are planning to expand our product offerings across more locations in the region. And yes, in response to multiple requests, we are exploring options to ship our products nationwide.