Today we’d like to introduce you to Naureen Ali.
Hi Naureen, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always loved designing, creating, and hosting—whether in the kitchen experimenting with flavors or planning meaningful trips and events. Nothing inspires me more than the way these experiences bring people together.
As a kid, I followed my parents into the kitchen every chance I got. Our immigrant family settled in Houston in the 1990s, and our meals were a fusion of Pakistani, East African, and British flavors. I’d watch closely as my parents chopped, marinated, and slow-cooked, carrying techniques passed down through generations. The kitchen has been a grounding and comforting presence for as long as I can remember. I soon began spending weekends excitedly testing recipes and cooking dinners for my family while my mom worked long hospital shifts. In college, I carried that love —cooking for friends in Boston and, during school breaks, returning home to Houston, where my younger sister joined me as sous-chef and loyal taste tester, a role she still embraces today.
After college, an advanced endometriosis diagnosis—and the surgery and year-long recovery that followed—forced me to rethink my relationship with nutrition, health, and wellness. Endometriosis, a chronic pelvic inflammatory disorder affecting 1 in 10 women, has no cure, but it has encouraged me to live a healthier, fuller life. Following surgery, I began eating cleaner, incorporating more strength training and movement into my routine, and spending time outdoors in nature eery chance I got. Several years later, I’m so grateful that I no longer live with the constant, debilitating pain that once defined my daily life and that I get manage my condition without medication or additional surgeries.
C.H Collective is an ode to the practices that bring balance, nourishment, and healing — we’re creating experiences and connection that inspire wellness in everyday life and this is just the beginning.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
C.H Collective and Cardamom & Honey Kitchen were born out of an unexpected turning point. After being laid off from my tech job, I took a sabbatical to focus on family, travel, and new adventures. One of those adventures led me to the rooftop of Africa—Mount Kilimanjaro—an experience and reminder of limitless possibilities.
Soon after, I launched mu businesses in 2024, fueled by a passion to share what I love and bring people together. A year and a half later, the journey is one of constant learning. Entrepreneurship challenges me to think creatively, adapt quickly, and embrace growth at each step. Each twist and turn is a part of the story—and I’m here for every moment of it.
Being laid off is one of the best things that could have happened. It’s pushed me to share my passions with the world, a path I may not have found otherwise.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At C.H Collective, we create moments. We curate wellness retreats, hiking trips, and culinary experiences rooted in nourishment, healing, and connection. The goal is to inspire intentional living—at the dinner table, and in the space we make for ourselves and others. We encourage new experiences and stepping outside of one’s comfort zone in service of caring for your whole self.
My own experiences have taught me the importance of taking care of my body, I’m excited to share and create opportunities for others to do the same. Our retreats and hiking trips are grounded in adventure, learning, and self-discovery. As a Muslim, hospitality and abundance is reflected in our faith tradition, and in many ways this work is a practice of faith. While many of our guests are Muslim, our events are inclusive and open to all—wherever your journey finds you.
Cardamom & Honey Kitchen is the culinary arm of C.H Collective. Our signature offering is a weekly prepared meal service, alongside private chef experiences and event catering. The premise is simple: vibrant flavors, balanced meals, quality ingredients, and high nutrition.
We take pride in the thought and intentionality poured into everything we create—from sourcing the highest-quality ingredients to choosing sustainable packaging. Many of our spices are hand-selected in Pakistan, delivered fresh, and ground into scratch-made blends. Our meats are sourced from local halal farms—organic chicken and grass-fed beef delivered fresh within days of processing. Packaging is 100% compostable and biodegradable, free from plastic and harmful materials. Every sauce, marinade, and dressing is made in-house without preservatives, hydrogenated oils, or refined sugars. We offer a wide range of customizations—grain-free, nut-free, keto, and more—and occasionally even provide pasture-raised eggs from our family farm in Magnolia, TX.
Eating clean can be challenging—especially when you’re balancing career, family, parenting, and caregiving. That’s where we come in. Our meal prep menus change weekly, with over 100 dishes in rotation: soups, salads, bowls, pastas, and entrees inspired by culture and travel, including the East African and Pakistani roots that are woven into many of our dishes. Orders are open weekly until Friday at midnight, with pickups on Mondays in central Houston (Meyerland) and delivery throughout the Greater Houston area. Everything arrives ready to eat, taking the guesswork out of mealtime.
Our clients tell us they feel the care in every bite. Many are healthcare professionals, business owners, or new moms in postpartum recovery—people who deeply value eating well but don’t always have the time to shop, prep, and cook. Getting to know our clients and their families is so important to me—their preferences, their kids’ favorite veggies (and least favorite ones), we’re always listening for ways to make their lives a little easier. That personal connection is at the heart of everything we do.
High quality without shortcuts isn’t easy—or cheap—but it’s the only way we know how to do this. For us, food is more than fuel; it’s warmth, and connection — to ourselves and to others. Food is an experience worth savoring, remembering, and slowing down for. We’re honored to share it with our community.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I started my career in education with Teach for America, then spent years working with schools and leaders across the country, and globally to build and implement better resources for students and teachers. Along the way, I picked up so much about being thoughtful, inclusive, and detail-oriented—and now I get to pour all of that into my business. It feels like the perfect mix of where I’ve been and what I love most.
Pricing:
- A-La Carte Meal Prep Offerings: $10-$20
- Wellness Retreats Start at $400
- Consulting Services Start at $200
Contact Info:
- Website: TheCHCollective.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/CardamomandHoneyKitchen
- Facebook: tinyurl.com/CandHKitchen
- Twitter: cardamomandhoneycollective@gmail.com
- Other: Instagram.com/C.H.Collective
