Mary (Make With Mary) presents Cinnamon Roll Baklava
Mary (or Maryam, both names work) has a background in Languages and Linguistics. She loves sharing bits of her life, educational facts and food recipes on all of her social media. She was born and raised in both the U.S. and the U.K. but is originally from Jordan, so most of the foods she shares are fusion foods, reflecting the different cultures she grew up with. You’ll always find her in the kitchen, fusing ingredients and blending them to make a delicious dish.
Yaseen Jawad (oh_my_foodness) presents Layali Lubnan
Yaseen Jawad is an Engineer by day and a home chef by night. Born and raised in Michigan with roots from Sierra Leone, Yaseen makes everything from traditional middle eastern and African dishes to the latest trending recipes on social media. He strives not only to make his recipes tasty but to make them foolproof so that even beginners won’t feel intimidated when entering the kitchen. Yaseen owes his kitchen successes to his mom for teaching him everything there is to know and especially for handing down their favorite Middle Eastern and African recipes to share with the world. Yaseen loves cooking for his wife as she is his biggest critic and thanks her for the constant love and support to push him through new culinary boundaries. He showcases his love for cooking on his Instagram page @oh_my_foodness.
Mai Kakish (Almond and Fig) presents Fried Tomatoes (Alayet Bandoura)
Mai Kakish runs Almond and Fig, a memoir told through food. She cooks to remember the place she came from, Palestine, and to pass that connection on to her children and others. Through Almond and Fig she shares meals and her family table; sharing the food that taught her about her identity, culture and family. The kind of food that makes memories and tells stories. She believes that food not only plays an important role in forming traditions and social interactions, but is also a tool to tell a story about culture and identity. Through her cooking and stories, she hopes to inspire others to cook food from an often misunderstood part of the world, and help create new memories and conversations around their own dinner tables.
Reian Abdin (shami_eats_and_treats) presents Musabaha
Reian Abdin is a Syrian American born in New York and raised in South Carolina. She is a proud mother of her three little ones. Having a family of her own showed her the importance of preserving cultural identity and she loves doing this through her food, sharing recipes for dishes she grew up with on Instagram and Youtube. She wants others to be able to enjoy traditional Middle Eastern food just as much as she does, and be able to recreate them in an easy way without having to guess ingredients and amounts; through sharing these recipes she hopes to instill the love of a home cooked meal and inspire others to elevate their dishes and try new recipes.
Monica Isaac (Cairo Coffee) presents Arabic Coffee
Monica Isaac is a first generation Coptic Egyptian living on the eastside of Detroit. She is the owner of Cairo Coffee, a specialty coffee shop and community-lending library in the city. Cairo Coffee focuses on building relationships with local vendors and small businesses and training young Detroiters through their Barista apprentice/skill-sharing program. Monica is also a proud community member, organizer and creator in different mediums.
Samantha Sanchez (HaveSpicesWillTravel) presents Om Ali
Samantha Sanchez has a background is in Cultural Anthropology and Education, but cooking is her passion. She has been blogging and sharing recipes on Instagram and Facebook. Her page, HaveSpicesWillTravel was born from her love of culture and cuisine. Not everyone has the opportunity to travel often and immerse themselves in new cultures and tastes, but one thing everyone has access to is… spices! A story, a tradition, and of course a recipe help to teleport our tastebuds to new places. Samantha is the winner of the Daybreak Press Award for Best Cookbook in 2020 for her groundbreaking book, Ramadan Recipes, the first and only cookbook dedicated to the Muslim holidays and the amazing variety of cultures that make up the Muslim community.
Summar (The Cozy Home Chronicles) presents Vegan Mahklama
Summar is a mom of three completing her Ph.D. in anthropology at Wayne State University. When not writing her dissertation, she writes about all things home life and motherhood on her blog The Cozy Home Chronicles. She believes coziness is a labor of love that can be built into simple everyday moments whether it’s crafting with your children or putting together a nourishing home-cooked meal. She’s especially passionate about sustainability and is always looking for ways to lessen her impact, including experimenting in the kitchen to make delicious plant-based versions of traditional Middle Eastern dishes.
Lama Bazzi (TasteGreatFoodie) presents Roasted Eggplant Salad
Lama Bazzi is the founder of TasteGreatFoodie, a page where she shares diverse food recipes that are mostly healthy, and sometimes not! She has a social media presence on known platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube with over 40 thousand followers combined and has an upcoming blog on the way. She started cooking seven years ago when she got married and moved to Florida. Without any prior cooking skills, her mom guided her over the phone and her passion for cooking bloomed. About two years ago, she began sharing her love for simplified recipes and turned it into a business. She has been featured in Voyage Magazine Miami and has collaborated with known brands, such as Morning Star, Starkist, Lactaid, Post, Van Foods, BJ’s Wholesale and Crescent Foods. She is a stay at home mom of two little girls whom she homeschools. Her children are her absolute favorite food critics.
Lamees AttarBashi presents Baked Kufta Parcels
Lamees AttarBashi is an MBA Engineer turned TV chef and personality, an international culinary enthusiast with a focus on Middle Eastern cuisine, a recipe developer and a constant Nomad who spent most of her years traveling the world and learning about different cuisines and food. Her passion for food led her to complete a Diploma in Hot kitchen from ICCA (International Center for Culinary arts) in Dubai, along with various certificates of cooking with many international and Michelin star chefs. On her TV show Lamees’s Dining Table she got to showcase her love for Middle Eastern and international food, along with regular appearances on TV shows like Sabah El Kheir Ya Arab, Sabah El Dar and food festivals like Dubai Food Festival and Sharjah Food Festival. She is currently in the last stages of launching her own superfood snack company Bashi’s Superfood Snacks, that focuses on natural, superfood healthy snacks in a tub with a no-nonsense approach to snacking and indulging.
Sahar Elhallak (At Home in Morocco) presents Moroccan Taktouka
Sahar Elhallak is a certified vegetarian and vegan nutritionist. Her food represents her birth country Lebanon, her Palestinian roots and her adopted country Morocco. She was recently named a Rooted Everyday Ambassador and a Mediterranean food hero for advocating sustainable cooking and farming. She firmly believes that food connects us and knows no borders; what better way to be connected with others than to share the same vision for our Mother Earth. She advocates for a whole food diet that involves no additives or processing; that respects Mother Earth and sees her as a source of life, not a resource.
Mahdi Blaine (Maroc the Casbah) presents Moroccan Harcha with Merguez Sausage Gravy
Rania Renno (Hungrily Homemade) presents Muhammara Pinwheels
Patty Darwish (Patty’s Food Fare) presents Batata Harraa (Spicy Potato Hash)
Patricia Darwish (pronounced Pat-reesia) was born and raised in Michigan her whole life. Her great grandfather came to the United States from Lebanon in hopes of starting a new life here. She is the eldest child in her family as well as of 33 grandchildren, and the single mother of 4 beautiful children. Food has always been important in her home. She learned her recipes from her grandmother and parents; learning how to cook by feel, sight and smell. Patty recently changed a 20 year career as an Early Childhood specialist and went back to culinary school, then purchased the 100 year old Iversen’s Bakery in Dearborn, now doing what she loves.
Tariq Nasir (Chef Tariq Cooks) presents Musakhan
Tariq Nasir is an Arab American food blogger and founder of ChefTariq.com. He empowers the everyday home cook to bring Middle Eastern cuisine to their table. Growing up as a refugee, Tariq has a passion for bringing people together and has found that the dinner table is the perfect place. With a Palestinian father and American mother, Nasir grew up in both the U.S. and Middle East eating both burgers and mahshi. At the moment he lives in Jordan with his wife Harriet and two dogs, Max and Charlie.
Sheila Mansour (Sheila’s Pitas and More) presents Iraqi Spiced Beef Bourek
Sheila Mansour‘s love of cooking came at an early age as she watched her grandmother, mother and father cook incredibly delicious homemade and handmade Iraqi meals in their Detroit home. As an adult, she learned to cook for her family and friends because she yearned for the flavors of her Iraqi heritage, upbringing and culture; her Chaldean/Assyrian ancestors whispering to her the measurements as she cooks and bakes in her California kitchen. Nothing brings her more happiness or pleasure than sharing her food with others.
Jad Saad presents Focaccia with Zaatar
Jad Saad is a Lebanese American startup chef currently residing in California. He received his bachelor’s degree in computer science from the American University of Beirut, later becoming interested in nutrition and cooking in general. He moved to California and completed a diploma from the International Culinary Center (ICC) as well as online certificate in Nutrition and Healthy Living from Cornell University. He went on to work at Rosewood SandHill Hotels for 8 months gaining extensive experience, and recently created a YouTube channel where he is sharing new cooking recipes each week.
Manal Mourad (The Eating Expat) presents Baklawa French Toast
Manal Mourad is a California native of Lebanese background. Her recipes, shared through her Instagram page @theeatingexpat, are mostly focused on modern Middle Eastern cuisine and combining both Arab and American dishes.
Sukaina Al Shami (Kikit with Kiki) presents Yemeni Mutabag (Stuffed Flatbread)
Sukaina Al Shami was born in Sana’a, Yemen and grew up in Yemen, throughout the Sham region in the Middle East, and in Virginia in the U.S., where she currently lives. She has always gravitated towards the art of food; cooking, baking, recreating traditional recipes, or creating new ones, and more importantly, the experiences and memories meals bless us with. With her platform, she wishes to spread Yemeni culture by sharing traditional recipes, bringing the Yemeni cuisine experience right to people’s kitchens. She follows a “guilt free” lifestyle balanced between a healthy and nutritious diet while still enjoying “guilty” foods when reasonably craved, and staying active! She likes to recreate traditional Yemeni recipes to make them “guilt free”, along with many other favorite recipes from all over the world. The youngest of 7 children, she holds a degree in economics and works with a government consulting firm as an analyst, and is happily married.
Denise Hazime (DedeMed) presents Fig & Mascarpone Crostini
Denise Hazime is a native Michigander currently living in California. Her love of cooking began at a young age and turned into an online presence in 2006 when she began posting cooking videos on her Youtube (DedeMed). With 13 million Youtube views, she’s known for her easy to follow and healthy recipes. She has one of the most popular Hummus recipes on the internet and was called the “Queen of the mashed chickpea” on the front page of The Wall Street Journal. She has also appeared on CNN, Coast Magazine and many other nationwide outlets. Her first cookbook Idiot’s Guides: Mediterranean Diet Cookbook was published in 2014, and her second, 5 Ingredient Mediterranean Cookbook: 101 Easy & Flavorful Recipes for Every Day in 2020. Although her passion is cooking, she enjoys business and runs a tech company out of Los Angeles, and was named to the Forbes Business Development Council.
Mona P. (Revolving Table) present Sfoof (Turmeric Tea Cake)
Mona P. is a Lebanese home cook from Dearborn, MI. She runs the account @revolvingtable to document her love affair with food, especially Arab food, and its historical, cultural and emotional significance. She holds a doctorate in developmental psychology with a special interest in Arab identity.
Inaam Shahin & Marah AbuDieyeh (Bateekh W Jebneh) present Kunafah Nabulsiyeh
Inaam Shahin & Marah AbuDieyeh are a mother-daughter duo who own the Instagram page @bateekh.w.jebneh, where they share memorable moments in the kitchen and their love for cooking. Inaam is a biologist and research assistant, and Marah (pictured) is an electrical engineer and business owner. Inaam is a mother who grew up watching her own mother cook, who was her companion in the kitchen, watching her every move from how she would fold a pastry in a specific way, to how she would spice her dishes, and Marah is a daughter who longs to be just like her mother. They focus on Palestinian and Middle Eastern food and through their Instagram page, they share recipes and cooking techniques, their love and passion for Palestinian recipes and their love for tradition and culture, as well as for photography and writing.
Sara Ahmad (Add A Little Lemon) presents Kubbat Hallab
Sara Ahmad is an Iraqi American educator, writer, and food blogger based in Los Angeles. Her Iraqi food blog Add a Little Lemon explores food, politics, and identity in diaspora through family recipes, personal stories, and shared history. Sara’s recipes have been featured in Middle East Eye, Buzzfeed, and in the recently published cookbook A House With a Date Palm Will Never Starve: Cooking with Date Syrup.
Lama Bazzi (TasteGreatFoodie) presents Date and Nut Filled Maamoul
Lama Bazzi is the founder of TasteGreatFoodie, a page where she shares diverse food recipes that are mostly healthy, and sometimes not! She has a social media presence on known platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube with over 40 thousand followers combined and has an upcoming blog on the way. She started cooking seven years ago when she got married and moved to Florida. Without any prior cooking skills, her mom guided her over the phone and her passion for cooking bloomed. About two years ago, she began sharing her love for simplified recipes and turned it into a business. She has been featured in Voyage Magazine Miami and has collaborated with known brands, such as Morning Star, Starkist, Lactaid, Post, Van Foods, BJ’s Wholesale and Crescent Foods. She is a stay at home mom of two little girls whom she homeschools. Her children are her absolute favorite food critics.
Loubna Zouiten (Louz Kitchen) presents Moroccan Milk Pastilla (Jouhara)
Loubna Zouiten is a Moroccan chef who loves cooking all types of food. She owns a Mediterranean restaurant in Parker, Colorado called Sahara, and loves sharing her recipes and passion for food with others and does so regularly on her Instagram page, Louz Kitchen.
Sahar Elhallak (At Home in Morocco) presents Moroccan Zaalouk
Sahar Elhallak is a certified vegetarian and vegan nutritionist. Her food represents her birth country Lebanon, her Palestinian roots and her adopted country Morocco. She was recently named a Rooted Everyday Ambassador and a Mediterranean food hero for advocating sustainable cooking and farming. She firmly believes that food connects us and knows no borders; what better way to be connected with others than to share the same vision for our Mother Earth. She advocates for a whole food diet that involves no additives or processing; that respects Mother Earth and sees her as a source of life, not a resource.
Lamees AttarBashi presents Kufta with Tahini Sauce
Lamees AttarBashi is an MBA Engineer turned TV chef and personality, an international culinary enthusiast with a focus on Middle Eastern cuisine, a recipe developer and a constant Nomad who spent most of her years traveling the world and learning about different cuisines and food. Her passion for food led her to complete a Diploma in Hot kitchen from ICCA (International Center for Culinary arts) in Dubai, along with various certificates of cooking with many international and Michelin star chefs. On her TV show Lamees’s Dining Table she got to showcase her love for Middle Eastern and international food, along with regular appearances on TV shows like Sabah El Kheir Ya Arab, Sabah El Dar and food festivals like Dubai Food Festival and Sharjah Food Festival. She is currently in the last stages of launching her own superfood snack company Bashi’s Superfood Snacks, that focuses on natural, superfood healthy snacks in a tub with a no-nonsense approach to snacking and indulging.
Nada Keaik (Cooking with Nada K) presents Ka’ak Cookies
Nada Keaik's passion is cooking and teaching others how to cook, which she does through her instagram page, Cooking with Nada K. She loves trying new recipes, and taking her mother's old recipes and making them her own with her own touch. Besides Middle Eastern and American cuisine, she loves making African meals since living part of her life in West Africa.
Rania Renno (Hungrily Homemade) presents Deconstructed Baba Ghanouj Platter
Yumna Jawad (Feel Good Foodie) presents Shish Tawouk
Amjaad Al-Hussain (Sifra wa Safar) presents Yemeni Shufoot with Luhooh Bread
Amjaad Al-Hussain is a health administration professional with over 9 years of experience working across healthcare systems. In her free time, she loves to cook for her family and enjoys educating her online audience about Yemeni cooking. She believes food is the perfect way to introduce individuals to new people and cultures. Her self-published cookbook, Sifratna, was featured in the Washington Post, Middle East Eye, Washingtonian Magazine, Northern Virginia Magazine, EaterDC and more. In 2019, she expanded her brand, Sifra Foods, and began offering an authentic Yemeni Hawayij spice blend. In Spring 2020 she published her second book, Eid Ka’ak, a kids’ book about how Yemeni Americans celebrate Eid in the U.S.
Tariq Nasir (Chef Tariq Cooks) presents Maklouba
Tariq Nasir is an Arab American food blogger and founder of ChefTariq.com. He empowers the everyday home cook to bring Middle Eastern cuisine to their table. Growing up as a refugee, Tariq has a passion for bringing people together and has found that the dinner table is the perfect place. With a Palestinian father and American mother, Nasir grew up in both the U.S. and Middle East eating both burgers and mahshi. At the moment he lives in Jordan with his wife Harriet and two dogs, Max and Charlie.
Karima (Karima's Kitchen) presents Lamb and Vegetable Stew with Couscous
Karima is the main chef behind Karima’s Kitchen, a collaborative effort with her daughter, Meriem. She co-owned Pomera Bakery and Restaurant located in the North Side of Chicago for over 10 years. Now Karima is interested in teaching people how to cook traditional Algerian food, pastries, desserts and other recipes she commonly cooks in her kitchen.
Mahmoud Elbarasi (Moody Elbarasi) presents Grilled Branzino with Zhoug and Tomato and White Bean Tabeekha
Mahmoud Elbarasi brings his passion for communicating between cultures to his signature cuisine, inspired by his North African roots and Southern upbringing. Raised in Kentucky by an American mother and Libyan father, Elbarasi’s culture fusion resonates in his dishes, as does his passion for the history of cuisine and its ability to bring people together. Known for balancing intense flavors, Elbarasi consistently exposes his patrons to the unexpected, while also fearlessly promoting a nose to tail approach to cuisine. His cooking can be found at The Coronet in the historic Barrio Viejo neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona, where he serves as Executive Chef.
Nada Keaik (Cooking with Nada K) presents Meat Pies
Nada Keaik's passion is cooking and teaching others how to cook, which she does through her instagram page, Cooking with Nada K. She loves trying new recipes, and taking her mother's old recipes and making them her own with her own touch. Besides Middle Eastern and American cuisine, she loves making African meals since living part of her life in West Africa.
Loubna Zouiten (Louz Kitchen) presents Fish Tagine
Loubna Zouiten is a Moroccan chef who loves cooking all types of food. She owns a Mediterranean restaurant in Parker, Colorado called Sahara, and loves sharing her recipes and passion for food with others and does so regularly on her Instagram page, Louz Kitchen.
Amina (Meals With Amina) presents Atayef
Yumna Jawad (Feel Good Foodie) presents Mujadara
Amanda Saab (Amanda's Plate) presents Chocolate Halawa Cookies
Amjaad Al-Hussain (Sifra wa Safar) presents Yemeni Style Stewed Potatoes
