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Senses and serenity: Syrian food for the soul
Karim Virani
Tayybeh: A Celebration of Syrian Cuisine, brought together members of the broader community for an evening of delicious Syrian delicatessen and enriching performances of poetry and music at the Ismaili Centre in Burnaby.
Founded by Nihal Elwan, Tayybeh brought together women from all parts of Syria, who used their culinary expertise to prepare a delicious meal for the guests. Their intricate appetizers, mains, and desserts were inspired by family recipes from their hometowns of Aleppo, Damascus, Lattakia, and Idlib.
The theme for this dinner, “Senses & Serenity: Syrian Food for the Soul," was inspired by feelings of warmth, tranquillity, and calmness of the space. Guests were invited “away from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives and the busyness of our urban existence” to experience “a culinary, auditory, and literary journey of Syrian hospitality.” The evening also included special entertainment from Syrian oud player Emad Armoush and his band, along with a reading by Syrian-Canadian author Ahmad Danny Ramadan from his acclaimed first novel "The Clothesline Swing.”
The audience of over 120 included primarily the general public and some members of the Jamat.
