Collab Dinner: A Winter Solstice Celebration Featuring Chef Nasim Alikhani with Nilou Motamed

Honoring the Persian Tradition of Yalda with a James Beard Award Nominee® for Best Chef New York

Three-time James Beard Award nominee® chef Nasim Alikhani of Brooklyn’s Sofreh joins forces with celebrated host and culinary expert Nilou Motamed to bring Yalda—Persia’s ancient winter solstice celebration—to the table.

Known as Shab-e Yalda, the holiday marks the longest night of the year when families gather to share pomegranates, watermelon, and poetry—a reminder that even on the darkest night, light waits to return.

This festive dinner will spotlight regional Iranian flavors with a menu centered on crimson-hued foods and seasonal ingredients woven throughout. Guests will not only savor the richness of chef Alikhani’s cuisine, but also Motamed’s storytelling and the spirit of a tradition that has connected communities for thousands of years. Together, we will honor the symbolism of Yalda: the triumph of light over darkness, of community over solitude, and hope enduring above all else.

This one-night-only dinner will feature a cocktail reception with passed hors d'oeuvre upon arrival, an expertly crafted multi-course menu with thoughtfully curated wine or beverage pairings, and a Q&A with the featured chefs.