Curated Cuisine is a monthly series examining all things edible, from the chefs cooking the food to the writers reviewing the recipes. Meet the people shaping the food industry, both local and national and enjoy a post-show bite inspired by the conversation.
Tawakal Halal Cafe, a small, unassuming restaurant in East Boston, exploded on the Boston scene when Bon Appetit shortlisted it as one of 50 best new restaurants in the country in 2019. This year, owner Yahya Noor was named a James Beard semi-finalist for Best Chef. Noor, along with his mother and seven sisters, create dishes from their homeland, Somalia (which they fled when Noor was a boy to escape the civil war), and showcase all the spices, influences and flavors that make up their native cuisine.
Tamika Francis, founder of Food & Folklore, moderated a conversation with Noor and his family about Somali culture and food, halal cooking and how Tawakal has made an impact on Boston and beyond.
This event was co-produced by Boston University Metropolitan College Programs in Food & Wine.