Holly Griffin

FOUNDER AND MANAGER

Tangata Tiriti.

Grew up in Waitaha Canterbury and Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Lived and worked in France, Fiji and Bangladesh before returning to Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Background in humanitarian aid work, refugee support, community wellbeing and development.

Fav comfort food: kimchi cheese toasties or any kind of soup!

Dilmini Perera

INCOMMON COORDINATOR & COMMS TEAM LEAD

Tangata Tiriti.

Born in Sri Lanka. Moved to Ōtautahi Christchurch in 2010.

Background in social work, education and dance.

Runs the Christchurch Sri Lankan Dance school and is completing her Masters of Social Work.

Favorite thing to cook: Yellow rice and chicken devilled – a spicy, vibrant dish made with turmeric rice and Sri Lankan-style spicy chicken.

Cathy Lum-Webb

EVENT COORDINATOR & FOOD TEAM LEAD

Tangata Tiriti.

Born in Fiji, with family ties to Zhongshan (Chungshan), China. Moved to Ōtautahi Christchurch as a teenager.

Background in community work, food industry and health sector. Lived in Ethiopia.

Community advocate and member of community group Sow A Lyttel Seed.

Anzeel Chitrakar

FINANCE OFFICER & FINANCE TEAM LEAD

Tangata Tiriti.

Born in Nepal. Moved to Ōtautahi 6 years ago.

Background in finance and accounting.

Favorite meal: Nepali Dal Bhaat, the best version is always cooked by my mum.

Jamila Ehsani

COOKS COLLECTIVE COORDINATOR

Tangata Tiriti.

Afghan, grew up in Pakistan. Settled in Ōtautahi in 2024.

“I love cooking because food is something we all need, every day. When I am among people and talking with people it gives me energy. When I first came to a Share Kai event I said ‘this is my place’.”

Semira Solomon Hayle

COOKS COLLECTIVE COORDINATOR

Tangata Tiriti.

Eritrean. Settled in Ōtautahi in 2019.

Favorite food: Eritrean Chicken stew, Doro Wat, because we always make this for special occasions.

“I love to cook. It is art to me. It is something that allows me to express who I am, without the need to use words.”

Meron Semere

COOKS COLLECTIVE COORDINATOR

Tangata Tiriti.

Eritrean. Settled in Ōtautahi as a teenager.

“I learnt to cook early on from my mum and my older sisters. It’s a big deal to be able to cook well. You watch your mum cooking everyday, that’s how you learn. Share Kai is so important for us, sometimes you don’t see a lot of people from other cultures, especially when you become a mum. This is such a nice way to meet new people. We all love to talk about food!“