Palestinian mom tells her story of Gaza with a cookbook

Insight

For a Palestinian mother living in the U.S., a passion for cooking has given her a way to tell her story as the conflict escalates in her native Gaza Strip.

Gaza native tells her story with a cookbook

For a Palestinian mother living in the U.S., a passion for cooking has given her a way to tell her story as the conflict escalates in her native Gaza Strip.

Laila El-Haddad says there is much more to the people of Gaza than their struggle of living in a land filled with violence. She has taken this passion for her homeland and channeled it through the art of cooking.

Her cookbook The Gaza Kitchen, a Palestinian Culinary Journey is her way of addressing the daily challenges that Palestinians in Gaza deal with every day to put food on the table. El-Haddad’s culinary talents have gained the attention of celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, who she hosted in Gaza for part of an episode of his show “Parts Unknown.”

The situation in Gaza is on El-Haddad’s and millions of other Palestinians’ minds, and although she is far away from home she has created a way for everyone to enjoy a part of their culture.