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Jay Rayner samples The Hampstead Kitchen food

Its not every day London top food critics get to try our food. We had no idea when we were supporting the charity he was the patron along with Allegra McEvedy along with Jack Monroe.

All 3 came in the kitchen to lend a hand, it was also very sweet when they realised I was also fasting and mentioned that in the thank you speech and I think people were surprised i had made all this food without even trying it

It was an experience I won't forget along with raised over £6k for the charity it was truly a treat to have Jay try our food and enjoying it, so much so that he even came for seconds.

This is the lovely blog written by The Food Chain guys about the evening.

http://www.foodchain.org.uk/about-us/latest-news/summer-social-at-the-food-chain/

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Interfaith Iftar - hosted by Alyth Synagogue July 2014

Ramadan Kareem

I had the pleasure to be invited to a truly special evening hosted by Alyth Synagogue. The synagogue was the first of its kind to open it doors to host an Iftar (sunset meal during Ramadan ) for muslims.

We were immediately greeted with so much warm and love it was truly overwhelming and beautiful to be a part of.

What is the Big Iftar

The Big Iftar encourages community centres, public places, places of worship to host an iftar and welcome friends and neighbours.

This year so many places of worship like churches, mosques & synagogues are hosting Iftar and welcoming their local Community.

The Evening

The reoccurring theme through the evening was of peace and commonality and how blessed we are in Britain that Jews & Muslims work together and have good relationship. As the Rabbi pointed one this needs to continue to grow and one we cannot take for granted.

The amazing Speakers

Rabbi Maurice (Executive Committee of the Interfaith Network of the UK)

Stephen William MP (Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.)

Laura Marks (The Board of Deputies of British Jews

Mustafa Field (Faiths Forum for London) Julie Siddique (Vice President of the Islamic Society of Britain) 

Tree of life, there is even a pomegranate in there. The scriptures were behind this lovely door.

The fast broke at 9:18pm, our host had respected our rituals and had made every arrangement to ensure we broke our fast with dates, water and fruit juices. They even had a designated space for all of us to offer our Magrib prayers. I was blown away with such respect and love that was shown.

The Rabbi made a prayer and broke the challah bread and were served a delicious warm & hearty soup made lovingly by the Jackie & her team

There was a beautiful spread of Mezze, fruit and even the traditional Fish balls.

We were encouraged to go around and speak to as many people. Meeting people from all walks of life who simply came as the message of peace is even more important due to recent events. 

Rabbi emphases how Jew & Muslim are similar and why we must continue to build strong link with one another. This resonated really well amongst all the guests.

New friendships were created and old one made stronger, this was a truly special evening and as a British muslim I felt incredibly proud to be born and bought up here, where all faiths are respected and where we are given freedom to practise our faith. The effect of the evening lasted well beyond the evening and will stay with me for while.

Rabbi Maurice Michaels showing the scrolls and showing how these are read and used

Handwritten by a turkey feather, this was a fresh scroll, was so beautiful to see one.

H

Hosts & Guests, I was hiding behind the Rabbi in the middle

Why not find out what events are being held near you and attend an Iftar. The Hampstead Kitchen is hosting on this Saturday 12th July, for more details about this sociala and socials from the past go to Hampstead Social

More Information about the Big Iftar : http://www.thebigiftar.org.uk/

Promo Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLrbA0CF4Q4

Twitter: @TheBigIftar

Ramadan Kareem, have a blessed month.

Peace & Blessings

Saima 

The Hampstead Kitchen 

[hampsteadsocial]

ARABESQUE IFTAR - 12th July - 9pm

Join us for an Arabesque Iftar at

 The Hampstead Kitchen on Saturday 12th July. Time 9pm to 12pm Iftar is the meal eaten by muslims after sunset during the month of Ramadan.  The Iftar for that evening will break at 9:17pm, therefore food will be served at this time.  Yes its a late evening meal but we wanted to open this up for non muslims too so they can experience this beautiful meal.

When, where and what time? Date: Saturday 12th July 2014 Time: 9pm Iftar time : 9:17pm

Venue: The Hampstead Kitchen - NW6 Food Setting: Arabesque floor seating Dress Code: Stretchy Pants, Something comfortable as we will be sitting on the floor.

  Tickets

There will be only 20 tickets for this event.  Open to all muslims & non muslims, first come first serve basis Please email to book your place at [email protected]

There is no tickets for this event, however we do ask all our guest to make a minimum donation of £30 a head all proceeds going to  The PennyAppeal  each ticket will feed 30 orphans during the month of Ramadhan.

Check for full details here

Hope to see you there

With Peace & Blessings in this blessed month

The Hampstead Kitchen

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The Hampstead Kitchen

Private Chef & Catering in London - Food with Style for every event

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Meatopia Festival  2013 - 1 day, 3,500 people, 25 chefs & 22,000 dishes.

Sounds crazy, it was a lot of fun.

Tayyabs was asked to represent their famous lamb chops at the festival by non other than Richard Turner himself. This was an opportunity I wasn't going to let them miss out on . I offered to help them plan their presence at the festival taking charge of communications & logistics and even the front of house to look after all the guests visiting us that day. 

Tayyabs has been a place I visited when I was a child, and I have seen it develop so much over the past decade.  Even when I was in banking, I would always pester Aleem & Waseem Tayyab why they were not present in any festivals or markets. They simply said they didn't have time, as they were so busy at the ever expanding restaurant.

It was a huge success and we were sold out by 4:30pm that afternoon. They will be hosting the event again in September 2014 , heres the link http://www.meatopia.co.uk . If you love meat you would be a fool to miss it.

Check out our other collaborations