Award-Winning Cookbook Author Zahra Abdalla On Finding Her Passion
The food aficionado’s career has seen many milestones. Here, she reveals her muses, passion for multiculturalism and more
“I was six years old when I bought my first cookbook at a community fair in Khartoum, called The Little Cooks which featured recipes from all around the world for boys and girls,” recalls Zahra Abdalla, widely known as @cookingwithzahra to her 184k Instagram followers.
Iranian by descent, Zahra’s passion for exploring an array of elements, flavours and culinary techniques was inculcated in her from a young age. “This book had beautifully illustrated pictures which inspired and intrigued me to enter the kitchen to cook and taste the wonderful recipes from around the world.”
Having considered cities such as Vancouver, Riyadh, Khartoum, Athens and London as her home, the aspiring food connoisseur was quick to learn the significance of taste in different cultures, the world over. “I always jokingly refer to myself as a modern-day Bedouin, having lived in so many places across the world,” she laughs.
“As a young child, I always struggled to find my identity. I consider myself as being both Eastern and Western, and both traditional and modern. I always liked living on the fence, in the middle, of all the different polarities.My greatest blessing is that I was raised to be respectful of people from different backgrounds and walks of life.”
The recipes in her inaugural publication entitled Cooking with Zahra (2019) are a reflection of this value system. “It truly is a celebration of and respect for tradition and modernity, as well as Eastern and Western culture and food.”
An opportunity to document and share some of her favourite recipes, the book was a passion project for Zahra. “Some recipes are traditional and handed down to me from earlier generations, and some are my innovative expressions of Middle Eastern flavours in a fresh, vibrant and delicious way.”
Most of the featured recipes are deeply influenced by Persian, Sudanese and Levantine cuisine. “Their recipes inspire one to create wholesome meals and create wonderful memories with your loved ones. Food is an expression of love and creativity.”
Most recently, the award-winning cookbook author initiated a brand-new food delivery concept under the eponymous Zahra’s Kitchen, specialising in Middle Eastern renditions of her signature recipes.
“Our focus is to deliver quality food made with whole ingredients, no additives, no preservatives; wholesome, handcrafted and simply good,” she shares. The concept is set to be launched in Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia within the coming months.
The food aficionado draws inspiration from several notable entrepreneurial figures by the likes of Martha Stewart, Ina Garten and Delia Smith.
“They have built strong careers that have spanned many decades which helped evolve and redefine the opportunities of a home-cook,” says Zahra. “A career in the culinary world now became an accessible and exciting opportunity.”
When asked about the best advice she would impart to aspiring chefs, she humbly answers, “Being a great food connoisseur starts with having a thirst for knowledge and an openness to learn about different foods and cultures. The world is your school of knowledge, and there are so many different outlets to learn from. Whether it is researching online, or seeking the advice of experts. Dig deeper to find out the history and background behind certain foods. Travel often to learn more about food, as it is one way to learn of local cuisine first-hand with experts. Always seek to learn, always be open to trying, and most importantly, enjoy the journey.” cookingwithzahra.com
Photograpby By Mohammad Adel Rashid, ITP Images
From the Spring 2021 Issue of Harper’s Bazaar Interiors