OUR HISTORY
In 2003, Raska Sauce was founded by Hanna Mulu Selassie. The sauce production grew into our beloved family-owned restaurant, Raska International Cuisine, and has been thriving since 2008.
Raska sauce has become the hallmark of our restaurant, and although wholesale production is temporarily paused, we often carry it in many stores around Colorado. The tomato-based sauce is crafted with inspiration from Hanna's African heritage. And although we began with the original and most well-known Raska sauce, we now have a variety. These exceptional sauces serve as the foundation for many of our fusion dishes, deeply influenced by the vibrant flavors of ancient Ethiopia.
Our unwavering commitment to farm-to-table, healthy, and gourmet food is at the heart of our mission. We proudly extend our passion for food through our Ethiopian sauces, restaurant menu, and Sohum in-house brewed Kombucha. Our main goal is to make healthy, gourmet, home-cooked food accessible to everyone, blending traditional and modern approaches to ancient food secrets.
Today, Raska stands as a thriving culinary hub in the community, proudly black-owned and woman-owned, offering a rich tapestry of international flavors, with a primary focus on Ethiopian dishes. We aim to create an atmosphere where guests feel like they're stepping into someone's home, fostering a strong sense of community interaction and carrying out our compassion.
Our motto is: "Health is Happiness, and Food is an important way to obtain that happiness." This guides us as we embrace the traditions, culture, and healing properties of ethnic cuisine while sharing them with our community.
Join us at Raska International Cuisine, where history and flavor come together to create a truly exceptional dining experience.
"World peace and healing can be achieved through food." - Thich Nhat Hanh
Our Team
HANNA SELASSIE
CHEF, OWNER
From a young age, Hanna carried the comforting memory of Ethiopian food aromas with her wherever she lived. She draws inspiration from her grandmother, who lived a remarkable and healthy life of over 110 years. Her grandmother's teachings, which emphasized the healing power of food, have been a profound and subliminal guide in Hanna's life. Hanna firmly believes that food is a form of communion, and health is a source of happiness.
Born in Ethiopia, and having spent her teenage years in Colorado, Hanna has also called Kenya and Sudan home. Hanna is a CSU alumni with an extensive global journey that has cultivated a dream to infuse love and light into her culinary creations. She is always guided by the principle of using her talents to create positive experiences for the community.
Personally, Hanna feels a deep sense of responsibility when it comes to selecting ingredients and ensuring the integrity of the food she serves. She has crafted seven distinctive basic sauces, with the aim of making healthy, gourmet food accessible to everyone. Hanna has also endeavored to share the secrets of her culinary expertise through cooking classes and programs, initially for students while studying at CSU, and later opening them to the public and offering private teachings.
Hanna feels a profound responsibility when it comes to ingredient selection and food integrity. Since the inception of Raska Cuisine in 2008, she has personally served thousands of people with her own hands. She is honored to be trusted and loved by her community, treating her customers as cherished guests. Hanna finds immense pleasure and gratitude in doing so. She expresses deep thanks to her loyal customers, local farmers, and friends who have supported Raska throughout its journey. Above all, she is thankful for the love bestowed upon her from all who have chosen Raska as their dining destination.
Hanna expresses deep gratitude to local farmers who provide their delicious homegrown vegetables and to local oil producers for producing non-GMO oil. She also appreciates her friends, especially Liz for her artistic expressions at Raska, and Sue for her unwavering support. Above all, she extends her heartfelt thanks to her customers for addressing her with their love and continuing to be a part of Raska's journey.
SOPHIA LOVELLA
CO-OWNER
Meet Sophia Lovella, co-owner of Raska.
Hanna, a mother of two to Sophia and her brother Tedla, made sure to pass down her cherished traditions by involving her children in the entrepreneurial journey and her love for cuisine.
Sophia played a pivotal role in Raska from the very beginning. She was the first to hear about her mother’s dream of creating the sauces, often woken at 3 o’clock in the morning for business discussions and planning, a sign of her dedication to the business from a young age.
Starting at twelve, Sophia took Raska sauce to farmers’ markets to offer samples and sell jars, and eventually hosted the trade-show events that got Raska accepted into Whole Foods Market.
Her enthusiasm and the trust people place in her make her an exceptional ambassador for Raska. She still does a little dance of joy every time Raska reaches new heights.
Today Sophia helps run the business, driving Raska’s media and marketing. Beyond the restaurant, she is the founder and lead designer of Amora Adera, a fine jewelry house inspired by the same Nile Valley and Sub-Saharan heritage that shapes Raska’s kitchen. She is always happy to take inquiries relating to business, PR, and media for Raska, and still loves popping in on weekends to serve and catch up with the regulars.
She embodies the spirit of Raska and its commitment to sharing love and flavor with the world.
