TIGIST REDA

Demera

Tigist G. Reda was born in Tigray, Ethiopia during the communist era, a time marked by civil unrest and displacement. Her family, like many others, was forced to relocate several times before settling in the capital. She is the seventh of eleven children, raised in a bustling household of twenty. In such a large family, cooking from scratch wasn’t just a necessity—it was a way of life. From a young age, Tigist was a constant presence in the kitchen, learning the foundations of traditional Ethiopian cuisine from her elders and absorbing their knowledge of spices, ingredients, and the rituals of hospitality. 

In 1997, Tigist immigrated to the United States. Like many newcomers, she worked multiple jobs while attending school, always holding onto her passion for food and entertaining. In 2007, with the support of her then-husband, Tigist turned that passion into a career by opening Demera Ethiopian Restaurant in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. Her vision was clear: to share the rich flavors, culture, and warmth of Ethiopian hospitality with the local community.  

In recent years, Tigist’s heart has turned toward advocacy. In response to the ongoing war in Tigray, she has become deeply committed to supporting survivors of gender-based violence. Through her work with HPN4Tigray, she has helped raise funds to open a mental health center in a refugee camp in Sudan and continues to provide critical support for medical care, trauma counseling, and small business development for women rebuilding their lives after conflict. 

Tigist Reda is more than a chef—she is a cultural ambassador, entrepreneur, and humanitarian, using her platform to uplift others and bring the spirit of Ethiopian hospitality to everything she does.