Hi, I’m Safat Azmi Mubarak, founder of Cook It Forward. I’m a Palestinian woman raised in the Bay Area, with a background in youth advocacy and over 10 years of experience working with foster and system-involved youth. I’ve seen how many young people haven’t had the chance to learn fundamental life skills like cooking, and I believe everyone deserves the confidence and knowledge to nourish themselves.

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My love for cooking grew during visits to my family in the Midwest, where I developed a close bond with my aunt, Amty. Together, we’d pick the perfect tomatoes and cabbage at Amish farms, then we would sit over tea and cook traditional Palestinian recipes, following her one and only rule: tie your hair up! Those moments taught me that cooking is about care, connection, and creativity.

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I often think of the youth I’ve worked with who didn’t get these experiences. Cook It Forward is my way of giving them the same opportunities to learn, create, and share the joy of cooking with others. When I’m not in the kitchen, I enjoy exploring holistic culinary arts, drinking tea, traveling for service work, and caring for my growing collection of plants.