Nestled along 900 South, the Spice on 9th Café serves as community space, welcoming refugee and new American entrepreneurs to engage with the International Rescue Committee in Utah’s Spice Kitchen Incubator program. In December, Spice on 9th welcomed its first Chef in Residence: Najati Abdalla of Namash Swahili Cuisine.

“We have so many amazing food entrepreneurs in our program. We wanted to create a space where we could really highlight the work that they’re doing, have the community come on in and eat all of the good food,” said Emily Park, Spice Kitchen Incubator program manager, in a recent interview with KRCL's RadioACTive.  

The Chef-in-Residence initiative provides advanced entrepreneurs with the opportunity to engage directly with the community. They take over the space for six months, set their own hours, and operate to offer both a fixed menu alongside events. Through May 2025, Chef Najati will be operating her business from Spice on 9th located at 422 West 900 South (Suite 101) near downtown Salt Lake City. Her hours of operation are:  

Chef Najati first learned to cook with her mother as a child. Her food connects back to her roots in Somalia, where her mother also worked as an entrepreneur selling food to make a living. Chef Najati noted her must-try menu item: “chapati beans, cooked with coconut milk. This one is my favorite—it inspires me to do it. It is the one my mom took to sell on the street [in Somalia] to make money.”

The Chef-in-Residence initiative gives community members across the Salt Lake valley the consistent opportunity to support a Spice Kitchen entrepreneur, helping their business grow and develop in a friendly environment. For Spice Kitchen’s Park, the initiative is just one of the joys of working with refugee and new American small business owners. 

“Where I get satisfaction and really love the work that I do is helping other people navigate that system, making it easier so they know where to go, have those resources, make those connections. Really get them out and show them off to the community--[these entrepreneurs] are your neighbors, they’re making amazing food here, and you are missing out if you don’t come on in!” 

Exterior of the Spice on 9th Cafe building at dusk, lights shining out of a building wrapped in windows.
The Spice on 9th Café located at 422 West 900 South acts as home base for the Chefs in Residence initiative.
Photo: James Roh
Interior of Spice on 9th Cafe behind the counter, tablet point of sale system in the foreground with customers seated at tables in the background.
Spice on 9th offers cozy seating for large and small groups to gather and enjoy a meal together prepared by Chef Najati.
Photo: James Roh

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to support Chef Najati during her residence at Spice on 9th. Learn more about Spice on 9th and check out updates from Chef Najati on Instagram @namash_swahili_cuisine

You can help other entrepreneurs in Utah connect with Spice Kitchen Incubator by making a one-time gift or starting a monthly contribution in support of the program. Help small business owners achieve their dreams by donating today »