Chef: Sawsan Daana
Restaurant: Matbakhi
Title: Owner and Head Chef
QUICK FIRE
My Breakfast: Feta cheese sandwich with chai haleeb (tea with milk)
My Knives: GinSo Knife
Most overused spice: Sweet pepper spice
Favorite Foodie Destination: Farmers’ markets
Favorite Kitchen Gadget: Food processor
Favorite Food Aroma: Rosemary, thyme, fresh mint and basil.
Q: Why did you first get into cooking?
When I was young I always helped my mother with the cooking and if anyone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would answer, “I want to be a chef”.
Q: Why did you first get into cooking?
Food is love. I loved cooking since I was a little girl. My mother would inspire me when she would cook, because her food was the best. I was always very interested in her cooking, and she would
kick me out of the kitchen… but eventually we started taking turns cooking for the family. My childhood school, Dar Al Hanan, would have cooking classes and I was the brightest of the bunch! I would go home and make the exact same dishes for my siblings. Food is love, and I love food.
Q: Where were you before you came to Kuwait?
I always lived in Kuwait, but I was born in Jerusalem, beautiful Palestine.
Q: Describe your favorite dish from your home country.
Molokhiya (Jute Stew): Jute leaves cooked with chicken or meat stock, garlic and lemon. It is served with either chicken or meat and a side of white rice.
Q: Name three ingredients you can’t live without in the kitchen.
Onion, garlic and lemon.
Q: What is the most important part of a sandwich?
The filling, and the overall crunchiness.
Q: How does your personality differ inside and outside the kitchen?
Inside the kitchen, I feel rather stressed because I am a perfectionist. Outside the kitchen, I tend to feel more calm knowing that I did my job the way that needed to be done – that’s that.
Q: When you’re not cooking, what do you do for fun?
I read and write poetry.
Q: If you weren’t a chef, what would you like to be?
I would be a poet, as I already am one in my free time!
Q: If you could choose, what would your “last supper” be?
Forever and always, Molokhiya.
