People

My Lucky Tummy is a multinational popup food court. Every January & October we have a party for 400 (or so) lucky diners in Syracuse, NY.  

Tickets typically run $25, sometimes a bit more on the fundraisers.  The food rocks.  The people rock even more.

Most of our team have arrived in town as refugees, but others are here as students, via lottery or have roots going way, way back.  

Whatever the case, here's the upshot: It's fun to work with people from all over.  And it's good to be reminded what a resilient, imaginative, welcoming species we can be.

Menus

All meats halal (unless it's pork, which we cook but rarely & in a devoted kitchen).

OCTOBER 2018

(Thanks to The Gifford Foundation’s “What If” mini-grant, we’re able to sell tickets for just $10 this time - so everyone can come!)

CAPE VERDE by Carla | Cachupa Pobre | Butternut, yuca, hominy, fava bean, cabbage + pili pili sauce*
ETHIOPIA by Habiba | Injera, Timatim, Shiro | Sourdough flatbread; Tomato, red onion, jalapeno, berbere; Spiced chickpea
IRAQ by Reem | Marga | Baby spinach, black eyed pea, tamarind, cilantro, dill + vermicelli pilaf
SOUTH SUDAN by Patience | Pigek | Cassava, semolina, red onion, ghee, coconut
BURMA dessert by Saw Soe & Kler | Mont Lone Yay Paw | Sticky rice flour, palm sugar, fresh coconut     

Saffron Cotton Candy by Brad & Karen

Spanish Baroque guitar & vihuela by Liamna & Daniel

Cooking demos by Azusa (Japan), Nujoud (Palestine) & Venus (Savannah)

*Big thanks to Ullys & team at Taste of Africa, 820 Danforth for gifting us their super fresh, super spicy pili pili

April 2018

(A Fundraiser for RISE: Refugee & Immigrant Self-Empowerment)

BHUTAN by Monu | Kaakro ko Achar | Kirby cucumber, yogurt, mustard oil, bara masala, jimbu
ETHIOPIA by Habiba | Injera, Gomen Be Siga, Mesir, Shiro | Beef, collard, nitter kibeh: Red lentil, berbere; Spiced chickpea
IRAN by Tamana | Khashk-e Bademjan | Eggplant, walnut, khashk, caramelized onion, mint
IRAQ by Muna | Biryani | Chicken, basmati, broken toasted vermicelli, almond, raisin, baharat
SOMALIA by Kawsar | Sambusa | Goat, beef, chicken, potato versions, all with homemade dough, piri piri chili
PAKISTAN dessert by Sarah | Burfi | Khoya, ghee, almond, pistachio, cardamom, saffron                           

JANUARY 2018

ETHIOPIA by Habiba | Chechebsa | Fried injera, berbere, nitter kibeh, honey, scrambled egg
IRAN by Tamana | Ash-e Doogh | Sour yogurt, garbanzo, family garlic, spinach, cilantro
LAOS by Kitty | Tom Hua Pa | Salmon head, tamarind, tomato, lemongrass, dill
SAVANNAH by Venus | Yard Greens | Smoked turkey, collard, mustard, turnip greens
VIETNAM dessert by Ngoc | Bánh da lợn | Fresh pandan leaf, coconut milk, tapioca, moong bean, palm sugar

Vibraphone by Preyas

Cooking class - Stranger Things in the Produce Aisle: How to cook with banana blossom, snake gourd & karela - with Anirban, assisted by Alex & Andrew

OCTOBER 2017

(A Collaboration with Welcoming Economies Global Network & Syracuse University, Dept. of Art & Music Histories)

AFGHANISTAN by Ali | Mantu | Beef dumpling, lentil, yogurt, tomato, cilantro, mint  
ETHIOPIA by Habiba | Injera, Kosar, Mesir Wot, Shiro Wot | Sourdough flatbread; okra, spinach; red lentil, berbere; spiced garbanzo
PAKISTAN by Sarah | Chaat Papri | Cumin-ajwain cracker, yogurt, garbanzo, chaat masala, pomegranate, mango, tamarind, mint
SOUTH SUDAN by Patience | Ringodel | Smoked goat, peanut butter, tomato, ginger, Scotch Bonnet pepper
SYRIA dessert by Assad | Booza | Stretchy ice cream, rosewater, pistachio

Oud by Ahmad; Vocals by Nyasazama 

OCTOBER 2017

(A Fundraiser for Common Ground's Resettlement Efforts in Cazenovia)

BURMA by Nancy | Nga Poung Htout | Banana flower, banana leaf, bamboo, chayote, prawn
EGYPT by Menna | Koshari | Macaroni, lentil, basmati, tomato, crispy onion, baharat
PAKISTAN by Sarah | Chaat Papri | Cumin-ajwain cracker, yogurt, garbanzo, chaat masala, pomegranate, mango, tamarind, mint
VIETNAM by Ngoc | Cháo Lòng Gioi | Blood sausage with laksa, Thai basil, lemongrass, fish sauce, jasmine rice
SYRIA dessert by Assad | Halawet el Jibn | Sweet cheese, semolina, orange blossom water, lemon, pistachio

Oud by Ahmad

FEBRUARY 2017

AFGHANISTAN by Somayeh | Naranji Pulav | Basmati, Seville orange peel, raisin, almond, pistachio, saffron
BURMA by Ma Thu & Kyaw Kyaw | Mohinga | Tilapia, lemongrass, shallot, fried bean cake, peanut, mint, lime
ERITREA by Genet | Injera, Gomen, Addes & Shiro | Sourdough flatbread; collard greens, berbere, red lentil, spiced garbanzo
THE GAMBIA by Madeleine | Domada } Chicken, peanut butter, cabbage, tomato, Scotch Bonnet pepper
SYRIA dessert by Namet | Haresa | Semolina, ghee, tahini, pistachio, orange blossom water

Classical Cuban guitar by Justo

Cooking class - 3 Dals: Mung, Masoor & Urad - by Anirban & Zel

October 2016

BURMA by Moonra | Tohu Thoke | Homemade garbanzo tofu, lime leaf, palm sugar, shallot, peanut
IRAN by Somayyeh | Khoresht-e Beh | Quince, beef, golden plum, saffron, dried lemon
IRAQ by Muna | Fattoush |  Romaine, purslane, tomato, pita, eggplant, cucumber, pomegranate molasses, sumac
SOMALIA by Anisaa | Shakshouka | Soft egg, tomato, toasted cumin, sweet paprika, cayenne, cilantro
PAKISTAN dessert by Sarah | Gajar Halwa | Red Delhi carrot, ghee, pistachio, cardamom

Music by Nyasazama (vocals) & Gedeon (piano)

APRIL 2016

BHUTAN by Monu | Parvar Aloo ko Tarkaari & Poori | Pointed gourd, red potato, ajwain, bara masala, mustard oil
GHANA by Yaa  |  Red Red, plantain & shito | Black eyed peas, palm oil, scotch bonnet pepper with fried plantain, peppery shrimp sauce
PAKISTAN by Sarah | Fruit chaat | Mango, guava, apple, pomegranate, almond, raisin, garbanzo, mint, yogurt, tamarind, chaat masala
SOUTH SUDAN by Patience | Ringodel | Smoked goat, peanut butter, piri piri chili
SYRIA dessert by Sahar | Muhallabiya Amardeen | Apricot leather, milk pudding, pistachio, rosewater

Music by Nyasamaza (vocals) & Bella (piano)

Ayurvedic cooking class by Sarada

FEBRUARY 2016

(A Valentines Day Tasting to benefit the International Rescue Committee & Syracuse's Rescue Mission)

AFGHANISTAN by Somayeh | Ash Reshteh | Bean trio, noodle, parsley, mint, cilantro, dill, gandana, yogurt, kashk
IRAN by Somayyeh | Zereshk Pullao | Chicken, basmati, barberry, pistachio, saffron
PAKISTAN by Sarah |  Pakora Chaat | Fried spinach fritters, red onion, sev, yogurt, mint & tamarind chutneys
SYRIA by Sahar | Fateh Makdouz | Baby eggplant, beef, yogurt, tahini, almond, toasted pita
IRAQ dessert by Muna | Kunefe | Shredded phyllo, pistachio, cardamom, sweet cheese

Oud by Mohammed

OCTOBER 2015

BURMA by Ma Thu & Kyaw Kyaw  |  Laphet & Gin Thoke  |  Pickled tea leaves, ginger, nappa, tomato, crispy legumes, garlic, peanut, prawn
INDIA by Sharada  |  Aratikaya Ava Pettina Kura  |  Green banana, tamarind, curry leaf, urad & chana dal
IRAQ by Muna  |  Fattoush  |  Romaine, purslane, tomato, pita, eggplant, cucumber, pomegranate molasses, sumac
LAOS by Kitty  |  Tom Kha Ja  |  Coconut milk, potato, lemongrass, galangal, lime leaf, shrimp paste, chili
PAKISTAN dessert by Sarah |  Falooda  |  Kulfi, vermicelli, saffron, pandan water, rose syrup, basil seed, pistachio

Oud by Mohammed

SEPTEMBER 2015

(All-Africa Dinner & a Movie produced in partnership with Inkululeko.)

CONGO by Alice  |  Pondu & Fufu  |  Cassava leaves, celery leaves, eggplant, chili, palm oil
ERITREA by Genet  |  Injera, Azifa, Shiro  |  Sourdough flatbread; green lentil salad; spiced garbanzo
GHANA by Yaa  | Nkatenkwan |  Goat, peanut butter, plantain, calabash nutmeg
SOUTH SUDAN by Patience  |  Dekatudo  |  Smoked duck, peanut butter, ginger, piri piri chili
TUNISIA by Radhia  |  Mulukhiyya  |  Beef, jute leaves, tomato, cumin
SOMALIA dessert by Zahra, Anisaa & Ayaan  |  Xalwo  |  Ghee, cardamom, nutmeg, white sesame

JUNE 2015

(Syracuse's World Refugee Day, with generous support from Catholic Charities of Onondaga County, enabling us to sell dishes below cost)

BHUTAN by Monu  |  Rukh-Katahar ko Tarkaari & Poori  |  Young green jackfruit, potato, green chili, mustard oil
BURMA by Moonra  |  Tohu Thoke  |  Homemade garbanzo tofu, lime leaf, palm sugar, shallot, peanut
ERITREA by Genet  |  Injera, Addes, Shiro  |  Sourdough flatbread; berbere lentils; spiced garbanzo
IRAQ by Muna  |  Tabbouleh  |  Parsley, mint, bulgur, cherry tomato, Persian cucumber
SOMALIA dessert by Zahra, Anisaa & Ayaan  |  Xalwo  |  Ghee, cardamom, nutmeg, white sesame

JANUARY 2015

BURMA by Ma Thu & Kyaw Kyaw  |  Mohinga  |  Catfish, lemongrass, shallot, fried bean cake, peanut, mint, lime
ERITREA by Genet  |  Injera, Gomen & Shiro  |  Sourdough flatbread; lamb, collard greens, berbere; spiced garbanzo
JAPAN by Zaw  |  Nishime  |  Lotus, daikon, taro, shiitake, konnyaku, mirin, sake
SOUTH SUDAN by Patience  |  Gwenomakitalo  |  Smoked guinea hen, peanut butter, piri piri chili
SOMALIA dessert by Zahra, Anisaa & Ayaan  |  Xalwo  |  Ghee, cardamom, nutmeg, white sesame

Classical Cuban guitar by Justo

Ghanaian 'miracle' berries (1 per guest) + bitter(sweet) buffet

October 2014

(An all-vegetarian menu to celebrate our new partnership with Salt City Harvest Farm)

BHUTAN by Monu  |  Paakeko Pharsi ko Tarkaari  |  Kabocha, potato, fenugreek, asafetida, ginger, chili, mustard oil
ERITREA by Genet  |  Injera, Mesir Wat & Azifa  |  Sourdough flatbread; berbere, red lentil; green lentil salad
INDONESIA by Siska  |  Pepes Tahu  |  Banana leaf, oyster mushroom, tofu, lemongrass, candlenut, lemon basil
TUNISIA by Radhia  |  Lablabi  |  Garbanzo, cumin, harissa, caper, preserved lemon
AFGHANISTAN dessert by Shakiba  |  Firnee  |  Milk, cream, cardamom, saffron, pistachio

Music by Songambele Drum Troupe, a Great Lakes collective spanning Burundi, Congo, Rwanda & Uganda

April 2014

BURMA by Saw Soe  |  Thin Baw Thi Athoke  |  Green papaya, prawn, peanut, ngapi, chili
CUBA by Lester & Laritza  |  Quimbombo  |  Okra, beef, plantain, tomato, cumin
SOMALIA by Eheze & Fatuma  |  Sambusa  |  Camel, homemade dough, onion, piri piri
THAILAND by Sarinthra  |  Kao Pad Gai Gra Pow  |  Fried jasmine rice, chicken larb, holy basil, red pepper, egg
IRAQ dessert by Muna  |  Kunefe  |  Shredded phyllo, pistachio, cardamom, sweet cheese

February 2014

AFGHANISTAN by Shakiba  |  Qabili Pulao  |  Lamb, basmati, toasted cumin, carrot, pistachio, red raisin
BHUTAN by Monu  |  Kerala ko Achaar & Roti  |  Pickled bitter gourd; semi-sweet Nepali-style donuts
MOHAWK NATION by Joe  |  Ash washed corn soup  |  Ash blanched corn kernels, pulled pork, mirepoix
SOUTH SUDAN by Patience  |  Gwenomakitilo & Malakwang  |  Smoked chicken, peanut butter, green chili, aromatic greens
IRAN dessert by Somayyeh  |  Shole Zard  |  Basmati, saffron, butter, pistachio, rosewater

September 2013

ERITREA by Genet  |  Injera, Shiro Alitcha & Atkilt Wot  |  Sourdough flatbread; spiced garbanzo; cabbage, carrot, berbere
GHANA by Yaa  |  Nkatenkwan  |  Peanut, ginger & chicken stew with spicy plaintains
IRAN by Somayyeh  |  Khoresht Aloo  |  Chicken, golden plum, apricot, barberry, saffron
IRAQ by Muna  |  Kibbeh pie  |  Lamb, bulghur, mint, hummous
LAOS by Vekonda  |  Yum Goong  |  Shrimp, squid, pork pate, snow fungus, sweet chili
CAMBODIA dessert by Rick  |  Ka Thomp  |  Banana leaf, coconut rice, baby banana, red bean

May 2013

BHUTAN by Jai  |  Momo  |  Ginger, cabbage & chili dumpling with tomato pickle
BURMA by Ma Thu & Kyaw Kyaw  |  A-jaw Zohn  |  Fried shallot & bottle gourd fritters, tamarind dip
BURMA by Saw Soe  |  Ohn No Khao Swe  |  Coconut, curried chicken, egg, whole shallot & lime stew
ERITREA by Genet  |  Injera, Brsin & Hamil  |  Sourdough flatbread, berbere spiced beef; collard greens
IRAQ by Muna  |  Dolma  |  Baby eggplant filled with Egyptian rice, dill & date molasses
POLAND by Agata  |  Salatka  |  Potato, celery root, carrot, pickle, dill, egg, mayonnaise
CUBA dessert by Jose | Flan | Egg, milk, vanilla bean, cinnamon

Buy Tickets

We held our final party on October 13, 2018.

My Lucky Tummy was always an experiment, a hunch, a lark. Now we’re graduating onto a MUCH bigger experiment:

Salt City Market - a Food Hall & Public Market coming to Syracuse in 2021.

The party is going away - but bigger, beautiful things await.

My Lucky Tummy is a social enterprise that pays home chefs very well & fosters a fun, chill work environment.