In this episode of the Matbakh podcast, we explored the culinary journey of Moustafa Elrefaey, the Executive Chef, Co-founder, and Partner of Zooba Home Grown in Egypt. Chef Moustafa, a vanguard of modern Egyptian cuisine, shares his culinary philosophy centered around natural flavors and a healthier lifestyle, a vision that has propelled Zooba to the forefront of the Egyptian culinary scene. His recent victory at the London Falafel Festival underscores his commitment to elevating traditional Egyptian street food to global acclaim.
0:00 Welcoming Chef Moustafa Elrefaey and Discussion Overview
01:05 Early Culinary Interests and Inspirations of Elrefaey
05:08 Importance of Street Food in Egyptian Culture
07:28 Elrefaey's Culinary Training in the United States
10:51 Exploring Egypt's Rich Culinary Landscape
13:05 The Story Behind Zooba Home Grown and Its Mission
15:43 Marketing Egyptian Food Domestically and Internationally
21:49 Taking Zooba Beyond Egypt's Borders
23:36 The Art of Making Hawashi and Tajin
25:22 Variety and Significance of Sauces in Egyptian Cuisine
28:05 Techniques for Preparing Perfect Dough
29:16 The Role of a Single Ingredient in Egyptian Cuisine
30:40 Reflecting on Zooba's Impact on Egyptian Street Food
32:09 Insights into Cairo's Vibrant Street Food Culture
33:36 Missing Links in the History of Egyptian Cuisine
35:52 Zooba's Vision for Growth and Evolution
36:55 Engaging Q&A: Insights into Elrefaey's Culinary Preferences
40:44 Audience Q&A on Expansion: Potential Zooba Openings, Including in Canada
41:40 Role of International Marketing Agencies in Promoting Zooba
42:30 Insights into Effective Food Marketing Techniques
43:32 Representation of Egyptian Food in the Diaspora
44:30 Cultural Significance of an Iconic Egyptian Dish
46:50 Inspiration Behind the Zooba Brand Name
Chef Moustafa Elrefaey, with his profound passion for Egyptian cuisine and a healthier, natural culinary philosophy, has been instrumental in revolutionizing Egyptian street food. As the Executive Chef and Co-founder of Zooba Home Grown, Elrefaey has not only contributed to the local food scene but also introduced Egyptian flavors to the world. His roles as a Board Member and Treasurer of the Egyptian Chefs Association, and as Egypt's Ambassador to "Chefs without Borders," further exemplify his dedication to culinary excellence and humanitarian efforts.
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Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 [ Ссылка ]
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afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
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#MoustafaElrefaey #ZoobaHomeGrown #EgyptianCuisine #StreetFood #CulinaryPhilosophy #HealthyLifestyle #LondonFalafelFestival #EgyptianChefsAssociation #ChefsWithoutBorders #WorldAssociationOfChefsSocieties
