Eat Offbeat: Yemeni Cuisine Dinner + Cooking Demo

Chef Ala'a, a Yemeni filmmaker and food enthusiast, is hosting an immersive dinner and cooking demo centered on Yemeni cuisine—with a twist connecting the Arabian Peninsula's pre-Ramadan Sha'ban traditions to Halloween. You'll learn to prepare a full Yemeni table from scratch: shafoot (herb-yogurt soaked flatbread), saltah stew, slow-braised lamb haneeth over spiced rice, and kunafah dessert made fresh.

Ala'a grew up cooking alongside her mother and has spent years in diaspora using food as a bridge to her roots and community. She now hosts Creative Diwan, a gathering space for art, food, music, and storytelling. Her approach blends practical technique with cultural storytelling—expect to hear the history and meaning behind each dish, especially as they connect to Eid celebrations.

The evening unfolds as expert guidance: you'll observe every stage of the cooking process up close and walk away with recipe cards to recreate these dishes at home. It's a warm, shared dining experience designed for fellow food lovers who want both the skills and the stories. Atelier Jolie Cafe is an intimate neighborhood spot; bring your appetite and curiosity.