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CELEBRITY chefs are joining together to operate a one night soup kitchen to raise funds for Syrian refugees using ‘recipes to celebrate our shared humanity’ compiled in a unique book.
The Soup for Syria fundraiser will take place at Words Bookstore Café this coming Tuesday at 7pm and feature cuisine connoisseurs Narise Kambar, Victoria Cannizzo, Felicia Janecek, Karen Tesar and Mahmood Janahi alongside filmmakers Mohab Khattab and Toufic Beyhum.
Diners will be dished up amazing bowls of delights from recipes collected and photographed by Barbara Abdeni Massaad and supplied by acclaimed chefs and cookbook authors the world over published in a book of the same name.
Rana Al Jalahma, owner of Words Bookstore Café, explained: “The Syrian refugee crisis has shaken us all to our core and many of us have watched events on the news wondering how on earth we could help.
“When we heard about the Soup for Syria project, we didn’t have to think twice, especially knowing that the book was going to be published by one of our favourite publishers, Interlink.
“We also knew that this was something the Words community would get behind and support whole-heartedly and it really has been heartwarming to see how many people have been touched by this project and how enthusiastic they have been in getting involved.
“We are especially grateful to our wonderful volunteer chefs Narise, Victoria, Felicia, Karen and Mahmood, as well as the two filmmakers, Mohab and Toufic. We are also very grateful to Lanterns Restaurant and Sage & Sirloin who have been very generous in lending us equipment for the event, Alosra for supplying bread rolls and CanvasBH who have printed a wonderful canvas of the cookbook.”
A Bahraini entrepreneur, passionate about cooking and creating dishes, Narise owns Saffron by Jena and Jena Bakery. She said: “The Soup for Syria idea is one way of making a difference and every small effort will hopefully snowball into something that is helpful to millions in need.”
As a chef for over 20 years, the highlight of Felicia’s culinary career was working with the celebrated American chef, restaurateur, activist, and author at the world-renowned Chez Panisse restaurant in Berkeley, California.
Upon hearing that one of her mentors was supporting the United Nations’ refugee agency UNHCR’s Food Aid programme for Syrian refugees, she felt compelled to get involved in a more active way.
Victoria is a freelance writer, recipe tester, food stylist, and a personal chef who moved to Bahrain with her family last July. She said: “I am very honoured to participate in this event. Soup is one of the most universal foods with infinite possibilities using the humblest of ingredients, which mesh together to create a dish that warms and nurtures one’s heart and soul.”
Karen is a writer, an artist and also a passionate cook, and believes Soup for Syria is a wonderful UNHCR initiative; a simple idea to bring people together.
Mahmood was born and raised in Bahrain. Office worker by day and a baker by night, he has turned a childhood hobby into a business venture and spends his evenings icing delicacies to perfection. His mouthwatering ‘Mahmood Janahi, Cakes’ posts on Instagram have gained him popularity and a large following.
“I wanted to help shed light on the situation in Syria,” he said. “Being in the public eye I always want to give back to the community and use my social influence to bring awareness to what is happening there.”
Mohab is an attorney and the producer of the documentary Salam Neighbour, a film that highlights the experiences of filmmakers who lived in a camp for a month among 85,000 Syrian refugees.
Co-produced by 1001 MEDIA and the award-winning non-profit production company Living on One, the film reveals the humanity of Syrian refugees and their experiences in a way no news story can.
He said: “I am really excited to contribute in any way to the Soup for Syria event. These refugees have chosen peace over war. They are exactly who we should be supporting and deserve to be treated with dignity, in all its facets.
“Our world has become smaller and so interconnected by technology that people thousands of miles away have become our neighbours. And when our neighbours are in need, we should help in whatever way we can, no matter how small the contribution. Everything matters – kudos to Words for hosting such an innovative event.”
Toufic, co-director of an award-winning documentary on the Bedouins of Petra called After Tomorrow which will be screened as part of tomorrow’s Pop Up Art Exhibition opening ceremony at the bookstore, will also be stirring a pot for the cause.
* All proceeds from the sale of the cookbook costing BD13.700 and any donations received during the Soup for Syria Fundraising event on Tuesday will go to the UNHCR’s Food Aid programme for Syrian refugees. The organisers suggest a minimum donation of BD5 but ‘would be thrilled’ if diners decided to donate more. Call 17690790 for more details.
