from mother to daughter
"Beit Maryam" restaurant (Photo: Bait Maryam)
The end of the civil year and the launch of 2023 lead to festive announcements also in the world of global food, and great vigilance among restaurants and restaurateurs, chefs and food people.
These are looking for respect and recognition (and a living, needless to say), rummaging through lists, highlighting insults and sensations, and providing a glimpse into the back kitchen that is their lives.
And so, the first swallow in the prestigious mechanism that is "50 BEST" already brings with it a certain surprise, in the form of the crowning of Salem Dekak as the best chef in the Middle East and North Africa region.
"A beloved figure in the community."
Dekak (Photo: Bait Maryam)
Dekak, a Palestinian born in Jordan, is the chef and owner of the successful Bait Maryam restaurant in Dubai.
She started her career as a teacher and school owner, switched to cooking, and managed to turn her culinary passion into a dream come true - a homely, warm and inviting Levantine kitchen in the heart of the United Arab Emirates.
The restaurant pays tribute to Miriam, Dekak's mother, and serves dishes inspired by the authentic recipes passed down from mother to daughter.
The space is considered calm and inviting, characterized by a family and community vibe, and manages to provide authenticity even in the high spheres of the food world.
From her kitchen, it was explained in the announcement announcing her win, she manages to preserve traditional foods and authentic cooking methods, and recreate the real flavors of the Levant that she grew up with as a child in Jordan.
"Her sense of obligation to preserve the essence of each dish leads her to find raw materials from different places in the region, to emphasize quality produce and unique spices and above all, to prepare food with love," he described.
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The flavors of the Levant.
"Beit Maryam" restaurant (Photo: Bait Maryam)
"Dakak is a beloved figure in the community," explained Drew William, Chief Content Officer of 50 Best, "The recognition she received is a true testament to the impression she makes through her passion and dedication to providing authentic culinary experiences—always with a warm and welcoming smile. We look forward to celebrating with her with
Other leading
chefs and restaurateurs from around the region."
Dekak is expected to receive the award, which honors female role models in the culinary industry, as part of the second edition of Mena's 50 Best Restaurants, which will be held in Abu Dhabi on January 30.
In the coming weeks, also before the ceremony, the Icon Award and the American Express One To Watch Award will also be announced.
Last year, six Israeli restaurants were selected for the prestigious list - Malgo and Melbar, Pescado, Animar, Hebsta, George and John and OCD - which referred to the Middle East region for the first time.
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