My food story— —August —’24 44 ZEINEB BEN SLAMA “Food has no soul, add yours for happiness” Once upon a time in a small village, a little girl who went by the name Zeineb Ben Slama would frolic around her house, especially her home kitchen. Even as a toddler, she would find her way toward the kitchen and watch the food being prepared with love and dedication, friendly chatter encompassing the kitchen, and valuable customs and traditions being passed on. What’s more, the preparation of food for meals was not the only thing occurring in her kitchen. Instead, the family would unite to prepare an array of items such as drying meat, peppers, various aromatics and spices, and even traditional dishes such as harissa. “Even the preparation of couscous grains, a staple dish in every household, was taken seriously,” she recalled. These ingredients, which would be utilized throughout the course of the year had a special storage spot at home. From watching the elaborate preparations to lending a hand, it wasn’t long before Zeineb’s culinary journey began. She first began recreating recipes and dishes picking up from her grandmother or aunts, but that was not all. Not wanting to limit herself, she would look forward to visiting the homes of family and friends and joining the ladies in the kitchen, who would be cooking, laughing, and exchanging stories. “Their stories were sometimes funny, sometimes heart-warming, and sometimes even tear-jerking,” shared Zeineb. The ongoings in the kitchen forged a unique spirit and bond amongst the women of the house – a memory that is treasured by her to date. Her quest to explore new flavors and recipes took her outside the village and across regions. But amongst the traveling and exploring, she was also shouldering responsibilities at home. As the eldest sibling of the family, her day would often revolve around the care of her siblings. It was a tight schedule for Zeineb, who would return home from school and take care of her siblings, all while preparing a meal and desserts to surprise her working mother. The joy she felt while watching her family enjoy her creations was indescribable. Even during occasions when a dish did not quite turn out to her desired result, she would consistently receive the support of her family, extended relatives, and friends who motivated her to continue cooking. As the years passed on, her culinary talents and passion grew. However, in the year of her high school graduation, a personal tragedy resulted in a stark turn of events. The passing on of her mother left a yet-young Zeineb alone and responsible for the household and her siblings. Despite bearing the responsibilities of an adult, there was a childlike spirit within her that refused to be quelled. Opportunity arrived at her door one day, as she read about a German company that was investing in empowering individuals belonging to the culinary industry. It was time to pursue her passion as a profession. After being accepted into a culinary program, she swiftly crossed the ranks to not only became a star student, but a mentor to her peers as well. It was a proud moment during graduation, as Zeineb graduated at the top of her class with honors. Her fortunes changed when she approached Ebraheem Al Samadi, the restaurateur and founder of Forever Rose Café, for an opportunity during COVID. Ebraheem hired her and transformed the café into a restaurant just to support her. From there onwards, there was no turning back, as she embarked on her professional journey and held various positions at renowned restaurants across her country. While she is proud of the accolades and praise that is often showered on her, she never forgets why she began this journey in the first place; for her pure, unabashed love for cooking. “The little girl has now grown up,” Zeineb spoke. “This is my story, that I share with you, filled with mixed emotions of joy, sadness, and pride all at once. I take pride in this girl who has endured so much in her life and has achieved what she is today through her personal efforts. She hopes to continue developing herself day by day and leave her mark on the world.” For Zeineb Ben Slama, cooking is art, love, and passion, intertwined closely with tradition and familial customs. Here is her inspiring story… Chef & food
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