Sophia Akbar, founder of Oakland restaurants Parche and Jaji, integrates her Afghan American heritage into contemporary cuisine, highlighting cultural storytelling. Growing up in Walnut Creek in a single-parent household, she learned responsibility early on, alongside values of curiosity and independence. Parche features Colombian cuisine, while Jaji combines Afghan influences with modern Californian dishes. Her culinary journey stems from family teachings, and she aims to share these cultural connections with her children, reflecting on her family's history and the resilience of Afghan women.
"I've always read current news about what was going on in the world and my country, Afghanistan... I was curious about how the world works and why conflict arises."
"I was raised to be an independent thinker but also reliable. The qualities curiosity, independence, reliability inarguably come into play in her work life as co-leader of two dining establishments."
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