Meet Leila Sefidgari of San Diego

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leila Sefidgari.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey started very organically. At first, I was simply sharing glimpses of my home design and little pieces of Iranian culture on my page photos and stories from different cities of Iran. What began as posts soon grew into something bigger: I realized there was a real longing among Iranians here in the U.S. to reconnect with the culture in a meaningful way.

That’s when I started creating workshops inspired by the traditions and flavors of different Iranian cities. To my knowledge, I was the first to do this in the U.S. bringing Iranians together from all over the country to taste and experience the spirit of a “day in an Iranian city.” What started as sharing my heritage online has now become a living, shared experience one that creates a sense of home, community, and pride in our culture far away from Iran.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely came with its own challenges, as any new idea does. But because I was already a familiar face in the Iranian community, and people often told me they would love to be my guest, gathering people around these workshops felt very natural. In fact, not only did participants come from all over the U.S., but I even had guests join from Europe.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As an artist and creative, my work has always been rooted in storytelling—through design, food, and culture. I see my workshops not just as events, but as living pieces of art that bring people together around shared experiences. Every detail, from the way I design the space to the recipes and cultural elements I highlight, is part of creating a narrative that connects people to Iranian heritage in a warm and authentic way. For me, creativity is not limited to one medium—it flows through hosting, cooking, design, and the way I build community.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is how deeply people need connection how much we all long to come together and share meaningful moments. I realized that food and culture are such powerful ways to build those connections. Through my workshops, I’ve seen how a simple table of traditional flavors can create a sense of belonging and community, even far from home.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Leila_momof3