Go’s Manal Nayfeh heads to recently founded Beit Sitti for a lesson in local cuisine.
Beit Sitti
When I first heard about Beit Sitti, I was beyond thrilled. First, I’m always excited to try fun new things in Amman, and second, the idea is genius: a cooking class that teaches Arabic tabeekh by authentic Arabic chefs (i.e., older women who’ve been cooking for years!), implemented by its founders, Maria Haddad and her two sisters. The classes are for regular folks like us, so you don’t have to be an aspiring Julia Child to try it and have a blast. You just sign up for a session, and show up ready to roll!
The night of my class, a few of my friends happened to be there – people I don’t get to see as often as I’d like – and I have to say, it was the perfect way to hang out! Beit Sitti, which literally translates to “my grandma’s house,” is set in a beautifully renovated old home in Jabal Weibdeh. Inside, everything is immaculately clean — they were adamant about us washing our hands — with a newly installed kitchen, and decorated with antiques and old photographs, creating that cozy feel of actually being at your grandma’s!
Beit Sitti
On our menu that night was mandi (a Yemeni dish similar to kabseh), with tomato puree, mutabbal, fattoush, and even knafeh for dessert! Nine of us gathered around the L-shaped counter as our chef, Tareq, patiently guided us through the whole process from A to Z. Unlike watching a cooking show, you’re there, live, so you can soak up all the secrets and tricks while trying it yourself and asking questions on the spot. Everyone was encouraged to get involved, and you take part as much as you like. But believe me, it’s so much fun that you’ll want to get your hands in everything!
After all was chopped, sprinkled, and stirred, we gathered around the dining room table for the true test of our efforts – eating what we’d made! Everything, down to the knafeh and after-dinner tea, was amazing, and made even more so by the great company and warm hospitality of Maria and Tareq.
I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone — a fun way to meet people and spend time with friends while learning something new.
Images by Brian Scannell.
Featured in Go Magazine, Issue #3, January 2011.
Go Magazine, Jordan 
Posted on April 26, 2011
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