Twenty recipes from a chef from Gaza.

My Story

From washing dishes to lead chef — in Gaza.

My name is Anas, and I am from Gaza.

My journey as a chef began in 2019. I started by washing dishes in a Palestinian kitchen that served traditional homemade meals. With dedication and hard work, I became a kitchen assistant, then a chef, and eventually one of the lead chefs in the restaurant.

Every day, our team prepared between 500 and 800 meals, serving university students with traditional Palestinian food made with care and pride.

After October 7, everything changed. The war gradually took away the life we had built. My family was forced to leave our home, and eventually it was destroyed. I searched for work in restaurants and with humanitarian organizations as a chef, hoping to continue doing what I love, but I could not find an opportunity.

This cookbook was created from my experience, my memories, and my love for Palestinian cuisine. Every recipe carries a piece of the traditions I learned in the kitchen and the flavors I grew up with.

By purchasing this book, you are not only discovering authentic Palestinian recipes—you are also helping me continue supporting my family and hold on to the profession that has shaped my life.

Thank you for reading my story, for cooking these recipes, and for being part of this journey.

“Every recipe carries a piece of the traditions I learned in the kitchen and the flavors I grew up with.”

— Anas Al-Naffar, Gaza, Palestine