“The people behind Sharbat are even more special than their unique baked creations and right now they need our help.”

Ilhama Safarova, via GoFundMe

Thanks to Daphna for passing on this fundraiser to support Sharbat:

“Sharbat Bakery and Café made an immediate mark on Adams Morgan and all of Washington DC when it opened in the summer of 2020. At the height of the pandemic, it was a sweet ray of hope. A small business owned and operated by women who are recent immigrants to the United States from Azerbaijan.

The people behind Sharbat are even more special than their unique baked creations and right now they need our help.

Ilhama Safarova, the 51-year-old owner of Sharbat began experiencing severe stomach issues in early 2022, but she worked through the at time debilitating pain, focusing on growing the business. Around Thanksgiving, she was admitted to GW Hospital and spent 35 days there before being diagnosed with stage 4 gastric cancer. She’s gone through multiple rounds of chemotherapy and had a complete gastrectomy earlier this month.

Her daughter Shukrana, who came to this country to go to college is currently running Sharbat. It’s a labor of love that gives her mom hope. But it’s not easy and the medical bills are piling up.

I fell in love with Sharbat soon after they opened in July when a friend of mine gifted me a birthday cake from this new local treasure. The moment I bit into their Honey Cake, I was transported back to my home country, Iran. The cake was so delicious that it made my small birthday gathering with friends in a DC park unforgettable. I had to visit the bakery to try more of their delectable pastries, and that’s when I met the amazing women behind Sharbat.

I became obsessed with their Walnut Baklava, and I found myself visiting several times a week just to get a taste. Their pastries became my own “antidepressant medicine,” and one bite of their Baklava could make me feel happy instantly.

As much as I love Sharbat’s sweets, it’s Ilhama and her family that are the real magic
They welcomed me with open arms and made me feel at home. They became my Azerbaijani family. I’m not alone. Sharbat is beloved by so many. Read this review from The Washington Post for just a little taste.

The Sharbat experience changed me. Ilhama and her family have inspired me with their strength, resilience, creativity, and generosity. Ilhama is one of the most amazing women I have ever met, a true force of nature who brings joy to everyone around her.

It breaks my heart to see her go through such a difficult time. But I have hope that we can support her by helping with her medical bills. Sharbat has given so much to the local community, and we should give back in her time of need. Let’s come together to support Ilhama and her family, and keep the spirit of Sharbat alive.

All funds are going straight to Sharbat’s bank account. Please share this with your friends and family and help us help a member of our community.”