Tarwida Food is Political | Fadi Kattan
12 snips
Apr 28, 2025 
Join renowned chef Fadi Kattan, a passionate advocate for Palestinian cuisine and author of 'Bethlehem.' He shares his rich culinary heritage, inspired by family traditions and his Teta's kitchen. Fadi discusses the significance of local ingredients and the challenges of preserving culinary identity amid political struggles. He explores the blend of tradition and innovation in his restaurants and emphasizes the power of food activism in celebrating Palestinian culture. Fadi’s journey highlights the emotional connections we have with food and the importance of community and storytelling.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
From Podcast to Teta's Kitchen
- During COVID, Fadi launched a podcast with daily episodes despite no prior experience.
- Later, on Teta's Kitchen, he cooked with grandmothers across Palestine, preserving recipes and stories even remotely.
Palestinian Terroirs and Displacement
- Fadi defines three Palestinian terroirs: coastal, central olive-almond regions, and desert Bedouin areas.
- Despite displacement, Palestinians have preserved food linked to their original terroirs years after being uprooted.
Family and Regional Recipes
- Fadi cooks his family's versions of Palestinian dishes but acknowledges the diversity and origin of recipes.
- For example, he learned Gaza's version of fatah as an alternative to mansaf and includes regional sweet desserts with dates.
