Revive Berbere: Chef T's New Beginning

Valued Berbere Friends and Customers,

It is with great sadness that we, Shannon & Gustavo, share with you our dear friend, Chef T, has to close her amazing restaurant. Due to the devastation of the recent Los Angeles fires, Berbere Restaurant - located in Santa Monica, California - is unable to keep their doors open, and has ultimately been forced to close permanently on March 30, 2025.

We are putting out this request for help, with a declaration to the Berbere community that Chef T, Owner and Executive Chef, Bicko her husband and the entire Berbere team are not giving up! They are determined to reframe this devastating loss into an opportunity to pivot and expand into the beginning of a brand new dream.

We invite you to read below and join us, in support of Chef T and Team:

1. OPEN A NEW LOCATION: Chef T has found a new location for Berbere in Topanga, California, and has applied for a loan from a California state relief program that, if granted, would help with the move to the new area. Her application is currently pending, and we pray for a favorable determination by June 2025.

The state relief loan, if received, will cover a certain amount of costs for this move, but cannot be relied upon for all costs involved. After, Chef T and Bicko, invested all of their own personal savings to keep Berbere open during COVID they now need our help! This dream requires support from the grassroots efforts of those like us who love Berbere and believe in Chef T's work in offering high quality, organic vegetarian/vegan Ethiopian cuisine. This gofundme amount of $150,000 in combination with the state relief loan will successfully secure the new location. The timeline agreed upon between Chef T and Berbere's new landlord is to hopefully enter a commitment by June 15, 2025.

2. DEEPEN RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE VEGAN/VEGETARIAN AND MEDICAL MEDIUM COMMUNITY: Berbere is well known in vegan/vegetarian circles, and also by Anthony William and the Medical Medium community. Chef T shares the same values with our communities as she partners with local organic farmers and vendors to create her dishes. The attention to detail in her produce, spices, and other ingredients is invaluable to the vegan/vegetarian and MM communities. It serves as the fundamental reason why we believe Berbere is a cause that must be supported to stay open and thrive as a refreshing contrast to mainstream restaurants.

3. DEEPEN BERBERE'S FAMILY CULTURE: Chef T’s heart's desire is to create a warm environment not only for daily customers, but for special events and group gatherings where tight-knit bonds can be fostered. As an example - specifically regarding the Medical Medium events that often occur in L.A - she expressed in her own words, “When the MM community comes to town, I very much want them to feel at home here.” Berbere’s new location in Topanga is larger than its original space, comfortably seating over 200 people, and with an expansive floor plan to accommodate larger special events and group gatherings.

$150,000 WILL BE USED FOR:

-CLOSURE AND RELOCATION COSTS

-RENOVATIONS

-ADVERTISING

-RENT PAYMENTS

-PAYROLL FOR STAFF (Note: Chef T’s staff are standing behind her during this loss, and have expressed their intention to follow her to the new location.)

MORE ABOUT CHEF T:

Chef T is the Executive Chef at Berbere and one of the new leading voices changing the way food is done in Los Angeles, California. Word started to quickly spread about her ability to use authentic Ethiopian spices and blend them seamlessly with local dishes. Chef T has been featured in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, KCRW, VegOut magazine and other major publications to name a few. Chef T believes that some of the best memories revolve around amazing food and family – she has even a dedicated family seating section towards the back of the restaurant.

We extend our most heartfelt gratitude to all who feel inspired to donate, no matter how small or large, as we hope to witness this heartbreak, sadness, and grief fruiting to bloom this new dream into reality.

MANY THANKS and BLESSINGS,

Shannon & Gustavo

www.myberbere.com