S6, E1: You are welcome: Food for thought
You are welcome: Food for thought
Tuesday 17th January 2023
Fadi Kattan (pictured) is a Bethlehem chef and restaurateur who had just opened a new restaurant in Notting Hill called Akub. We caught up with Fadi in his Bethlehem kitchen to talk about food, hospitality, culinary appropriation and his dream menu.
Palestinian food has been systematically erased and appropriated. Dishes like hummus, falafel and za’atar are marketed globally as Israeli cuisine — while Palestinian identity is denied. For Palestinians, reclaiming their food is about more than recipes — it’s about asserting existence, preserving culture and resisting erasure.
Hospitality is central to Palestinian culture. The phrase ahlan wa sahlan — you are welcome — isn’t just politeness, it’s a worldview. Even under occupation, Palestinians open their homes and share meals, creating spaces of dignity and generosity when everything else is being taken.
Our guest panellists were Ahmed Alnaouq from We Are Not Numbers in Gaza and Sally Azzam, who established Liwan Cafe and Cultural Centre in Nazareth. Following the film, they discussed the points Fadi raised — particularly the importance of food and hospitality to Palestinian culture.
Our guests:
- Fadi Kattan: Chef and restaurateur, Bethlehem
- Sally Azzam: Liwan Cafe and Cultural Centre, Nazareth
- Ahmed Alnaouq: We Are Not Numbers, Gaza
