About Us

We are two Melbourne-based nomads from East Africa. We develop recipes and run cooking classes.

We come from a nomadic heritage are of Somali heritage, born and raised in Kenya and Tanzania. Our culture and food is a fusion of these countries that gave birth to us. Australia with its multi-cultural communities and the vibrant Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander cultures adds yet another dimension to the influences that continue to shape us.

Get in touch if you are curious about East African food!

Shukri Abdikarim

I started cooking when I was nine years old. I would write recipes from my mother, aunties and friends in a big black book that is the trusted source of many tried and tested recipes. I still have the same book, old and tartered now, but very much used!

I grew up in the ancient city of Mombasa, Kenya. It is a melting pot for immigrants from Africa, Iran, Portugal, Oman, Yemen and the Indian sub-continent.

Abderazzaq Noor

I spent much of my childhood helping out in the family restaurant which specialised in Somali cuisine. This was the start of my appreciation for good food and cooking.

My other loves of history and writing led me to starting a food blog with Shukri about eight years ago (The Somali Kitchen now cookingwith2nomads).  where Shukri and I develop and curate recipes and run cooking classes.