Hawa Hassan

About the Author

Hawa Hassan is a renowned chef, restaurateur, and storyteller whose work bridges the worlds of cuisine and cultural narrative. Born in Somalia and having navigated the complexities of displacement due to war, she brings an authentic voice to her explorations of food as a vessel for memory, resilience, and connection. As the co-founder of the acclaimed Minneapolis-based restaurant Basbaas, Hassan infuses her dishes with flavors from her East African heritage, while her writing delves into the shared experiences of communities affected by conflict. Through her debut book, Setting a Place for Us: Recipes and Stories of Displacement, Resilience, and Community from Eight Countries Impacted by War, she invites readers to the table, sharing recipes intertwined with poignant personal and collective stories that celebrate survival and solidarity across borders.