About this Event
Join Rawah Badrawi and Suzanne Zeidy on a culinary and historical journey throughout Egypt, in conversation with historian Simon Sebag Montefiore.
Egypt is one of the world’s oldest civilizations with diverse landscapes, people and cultures. This gorgeous cookbook will take you on a unique journey to explore Egypt’s magic via its rich culinary history and the rituals that surround it, with over 140 recipes thoughtfully curated from all over the country and reimagined for a modern home cook, and incredible photography from award- winning photographer Jonathan Gregson.
- SEA - try Grouper Freekeh from Port Said, Stuffed Duck from Damietta, Shakshuka with Olives, Feta & Mint from Marsa Matruh or Fishermen's Soup from Alexandria.
- DESERT - serve up Mustard Greens Risotto from Dakhla Oasis, Lamb & Pumpkin Tagine with Couscous from Siwa or Stuffed Pigeon from Fayoum.
- RIVER - discover Fava Puree with Frizzled Onions from Minya, Halva Cream Brioche Buns from Kafr El Sheikh, Cumin Braised Beef from Luxor or Jute Mallow Omelet from Aswan.
- MOUNTAIN - Enjoy the sweet delicacy of a Bedouin Tea Poached Pear and a traditional Mount Sinai Breakfast Spread.
The authors have also included a bonus, short Cairo section which includes heirloom recipes from carefully picked Cairene families famous for their signature dishes.
Part culinary album, part travelogue, this book will finally open up the tastes, aromas, history and love entwined in Egyptian cooking to the world, sparking conversation about ancient cooking methods and ingredients, and the ways in which cultures change across time. The authors will visit extraordinary places, gathering recipes from Egyptians of all backgrounds: matriarchs, monks, bedouins, Nubians, Nile River farmers, urban socialites and many more.
About the speakers
Rawah Badrawi is the author of Siwa, a photographic memoir about the remote Saharan oasis in Egypt’s Western Desert. Rawah is a Mentor for venture capital firm Flat6 Labs, working mostly with female-led start-ups in Egypt and the Levant
Suzanne Zeidy received her culinary training in New York City and interned at restaurants around the city. Upon returning to Egypt, Suzanne co-founded and operated several restaurant concepts: La Bodega, Cilantro and Cairo Kitchen. She is the author of The Cairo Kitchen cookbook.
Simon Sebag Montefiore is an internationally bestselling author and historian whose prize-winning books have been published in forty-eight languages. He read history at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge University where he received his Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD). He is the presenter of five history series for the BBC and many of his books are being developed for movies or drama series. His latest book, The Cauldron: The Making of the Modern Middle East, will be published by Weidenfeld and Nicolson on 27 August 2026.
The event will start promptly at 7.00pm, please arrive 10 minutes early.
Ticket with the book: £30.00 (save £10)
Ticket £10.00
Includes a complimentary glass of wine/soft drink on arrival.
To keep up to date with events at Stanfords,
Author talks are held in our basement which is fully accessible via a nearby lift. Please ask a member of staff who will accompany you.
Please ensure we have an up-to-date contact email address or telephone number when booking your ticket so that we can contact you with any updates.
Event venue & nearby stays
Stanfords, 7 Mercer Walk, London, United Kingdom
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