What does it imply to you to place Jordan on the worldwide culinary map?
Placing Jordan on the worldwide culinary map goes past developments; it’s about reclaiming id and voicing a long-silenced cultural narrative. For me, this imaginative and prescient started with Alee, a restaurant created not simply to serve meals however to transmit our collective heritage. Particularly, it tells the story of Amman, a metropolis formed by historical past, migration, reminiscence and the layered spirit of its folks. Nevertheless, the actual problem lay in redefining Jordanian delicacies not as one thing static however as vibrant, numerous and continually evolving. Moreover, folks crave clear culinary classes: wonderful eating, informal, conventional or trendy; however I’ve at all times resisted labels to pursue one thing much more significant. As an alternative, I centered on crafting experiences that really feel private, rooted in tradition, guided by reminiscence and elevated by creativeness at each flip.
Jordanian delicacies is wealthy, numerous and underrepresented. Why do you suppose now’s the second to vary that and the way are you main the shift?
Now’s the second as a result of we now not search permission; a brand new era of creators is confidently shaping the longer term. Particularly, this era consists of cooks, storytellers, farmers, producers and creatives grounded deeply of their origins but fearless ahead. Moreover, I’m main this shift by constructing programs past eating places to foster sustainable progress and cultural innovation. Alee represents just the start, adopted by culinary training initiatives and progressive eating places reinterpreting regional meals unexpectedly. Importantly, I refuse to export clichés about Jordanian delicacies; as a substitute, I need the world to expertise its true depth. In the end, I create areas the place creativity and heritage coexist harmoniously, empowering each to thrive with out competing for consideration.
Your work continually performs with reminiscence, id and trendy expression. How do you reinvent custom with out shedding its soul?
I see custom as a basis for progress, by no means a fence that limits creativity or confines culinary exploration and expression. At Alee, working with elements like zaatar, sumac, shatta, bulgur or marjoram, I ask deeper questions: “What emotion does this carry? What story does it share about our id and shared reminiscence?” Then I construct the whole lot round that feeling; texture, approach and presentation evolve whereas the story stays sacred and true. To encourage the following era, I don’t lecture on heritage however invite them to expertise it firsthand in kitchens. They see how highly effective cooking their grandmother’s dishes turns into when flavors replicate each the previous and their very own distinctive voice. That is how custom stays alive by respiratory freely, adapting naturally and embracing change whereas honoring its roots ceaselessly.
You’ve stated earlier than that meals is storytelling. What story are you telling the world about Jordan and what do you hope they perceive via your meals?
I’m telling Amman’s story as a vibrant cultural crossroad the place Circassian, Armenian, Druze, Kurds and Jordanians create shared culinary language. Furthermore, I need folks to know that Jordanian meals isn’t static or singular however wealthy with depth and creativity. It goes past mansaf and hummus; it embodies generosity, resilience and a continually evolving culinary id that invitations discovery. When visitors dine at Alee, I need them to say: “I’ve by no means tasted this earlier than, but it appears like residence.” Certainly, that’s the energy of meals. It breaks down boundaries and connects folks past typical tourism or surface-level introductions. In the end, a single chunk can introduce Jordan’s true essence much more deeply than any standard tourism marketing campaign ever may.
Being acknowledged by 50 Greatest Eating places is a private milestone, however what legacy are you making an attempt to go away behind in Jordan and past?
Recognition issues deeply, not for ego however for creating lasting impression and altering how the world views Jordan’s culinary scene. Once we reached quantity 13 in 50 Greatest Eating places, it represented not solely me but in addition Jordan’s rising world status. That achievement shifted perceptions extensively, opening doorways and provoking delight throughout the nation and your complete area’s meals neighborhood. Nevertheless, for me, legacy is rarely about awards however about constructing infrastructure, fostering mindset and provoking sturdy perception. It means mentoring future cooks, documenting disappearing meals recollections in books and launching ideas designed to scale regionally. In the end, I’m not right here solely to cook dinner. I’m dedicated to constructing an ecosystem that transforms Arab meals tradition globally.
In the event you needed to invite the world to dinner in Amman, what would you serve and what would you say?
I’d serve a desk stuffed with putting contrasts: fermented burned butter labne paired with honey shatta oil’s sweetness. Subsequent, sujuk-crusted fish accompanied by tahini corn provides daring flavors layered thoughtfully and introduced with culinary precision and care. Then, a burned onion hummus, smoky and unfamiliar, adopted by El Shayeb dumpling with heat shanina and recent mint. Lastly, one thing your grandmother would possibly acknowledge however plated fantastically, like a fastidiously crafted piece of edible artwork on show. And I’d warmly say: “Welcome to Amman. This isn’t a meals museum however a dwelling, respiratory reminiscence. Style it with out assumptions, savor deeply, and depart stuffed with curiosity and an invite to remain some time longer. As a result of right here, we feed you thoughtfully, shock you creatively and welcome you warmly to expertise our evolving culinary story.”
