The Falafel Garden

The Falafel Garden began long before it had a name. As a child, one of my favorite places in the world was a tiny falafel stand in front of a gas station. It was no bigger than a large closet, but the food was extraordinary. It's one of my earliest memories of falling in love with food, and every time I return, I'm reminded that great meals don't need fancy surroundings, just care, tradition, and great ingredients.

I'm an Iraqi Jew who grew up surrounded by Middle Eastern cooking. My aunts, uncles, and cousins taught me the flavors and techniques that shaped my palate, and over the years I worked to master those recipes myself. I've spent more than two decades cooking for friends, family, and community. Hosting gatherings almost every week, and refining dishes that connect people around a table. My hummus recipe alone has been evolving for more than ten years, and it's become something friends, neighbors, and community organizations regularly ask for by name.

While The Falafel Garden's first menu focuses on the Middle Eastern dishes I know and love best, my passion for food extends far beyond one cuisine. I've cooked meals from more than fifty countries, explored food traditions with my children through visits to local markets, and created theatrical dining experiences where meals are inspired by the plays being performed. Whether I'm serving falafel and hummus, catering a birthday, supporting a film set, or designing a meal around a book club discussion, my goal is always the same: to bring people together through thoughtful, delicious food made with generosity and care.