About us.
Houria CIC is a Bristol-based anti-slavery & anti-racism organisation, training & hiring female survivors of slavery in a Pan-African catering company.
Houria CIC was founded in January 2020 by three BME people who shared a passion for food and refugee rights. They understood the link between modern slavery, migration and racism and made it their mission to create a joyful solution, a meaningful and sustainable enterprise in the heart of the community. Houria breeds freedom through food.
Our vision is a world free of modern slavery.
COVID has forced changes within our organisation and we’re proud to continue serving Bristol our delicious feasts safely and responsibly. Our communities are still benefiting from our services and flavours.
OUR TEAM
Kimberly Prado
Kim is a British-Cape Verdean freedom fighter, a mother and the Executive Director of Houria CIC. Kim conceived the Houria concept in 2019 after studying the topic of Modern Slavery at the University of Bristol. All of Kim's passion and skill in the fields of cooking, coaching and advocating come to the table in this joyful and righteous, not to mention tasty, Bristol-based social enterprise. There is no greater pleasure for Kim than to cook up a feast and share recipes and stories with her Sisters. Kim is a fellow of the School of Social Entrepreneurs Start Up Programme and has high hopes for her trainees and for herself as a modern slavery activist.
Saskia Fitzpatrick
Sas is a British anti-slavery advocate and the Community Development Lead at Houria CIC. Sas started off volunteering at Houria in 2020 whilst completing her MSc in International Relations and Affairs at the University of Bristol. Sas’s knowledge and interests lie within the intersections of gender, climate change, processes of ‘othering’, and decolonial thought. Sas uses her skills and knowledge to help Houria grow and to make positive changes to the system on a micro and macro level. Sas’s hobbies include dog walking, exploring new cuisines, and listening to live music.
Mariem
Mariam is from Pakistan and joined Houria in 2023 to work as the Barista. Mariam also enjoys to share her Pakistani recipes and often cooks with the other Houria female chefs to make delicious Pakistani dishes. Houria has been massively influenced by Mariam's cultural food and she often works as a chef on the various events that Houria does. Mariam loves to spend time with her two children and to have family gatherings that are surrounded by food where she cooks various traditional recipes.
Maria
Maria is a Pakistani chef who learned her cooking skills at home with her mother. Since joining Houria, she has gained extensive skills as a chef and cooks amazing traditional dishes for our community Feasts and aspires to keep expanding her role within Houria. Perhaps one day becoming a famous chef! Maria loves to educate herself on the food industry by watching food programmes, so that she can keep learning and growing.
Allison Parkes-Norris
Allison is a South-East Londoner who studied at Goldsmiths University of London. Since graduating she has focused her career in the field of communications. PR, media, campaigning and strategic communications have been her focus while working for big brands across the corporate and not-for-profit sector. Allison moved to Bristol in 2016 and first connected with Houria as a regular customer to Houria’s Cafe in Easton Community Centre. She is passionate about connecting with people and finding new and compelling ways of telling stories that need to be heard, and make a positive difference to the lives of others. She has boundless enthusiasm and belief in Houria’s work, so has joined the team to help us raise our voice.
Our Partners & Funders
