Mesopotamian Aroma

Hello, Selam, and Shalom!

My name is Charlie-Moshé Elias, and I represent my solely found Mesopotamian Aroma: A culinary venture breathing life into ancient Mesopotamian and contemporary diverse cuisines of modern-day Türkiye and Iraq.

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It is a unique catering business in the Seattle area

that serves authentic dishes reflecting the historical, cultural, and diverse significance of the Iraqi and Türkish ​cuisines that date back to old civilizations

When my family and I arrived in the U.S. as refugees, everything felt new and uncertain. I was a teenager navigating high school, and my parents were starting over in unfamiliar jobs. For my mom and me, adjusting wasn’t easy — she especially struggled with homesickness, fear of being misunderstood, and the loneliness of being in a new place.

One of the ways we found connection and comfort was through food. We’d go on local picnics, camping trips, and sightseeing outings — small moments that helped us explore our new surroundings and meet people, both locals and other newcomers. Every time we were invited to a potluck or gathering, my mom brought a homemade dish from our Iraqi heritage — something beautiful, generous, and from the heart.

That tradition of sharing food became my way of connecting too. I learned that cooking wasn’t just about feeding others — it was a way to introduce myself, to celebrate where I come from, and to build community. Over time, it became second nature to contribute to any event with a meaningful dish — something that told a story.

Now, through my catering work, I continue that practice. Every meal I prepare is rooted in those early days of rebuilding — when food helped us belong, and when sharing it felt like the most honest way to say, this is who we are.