Live Matbakh Podcast with Leen Al Zaben at What The Food by Alserkal

Saturday, October 26
Time: 6:00 – 6:45 pm (Dubai Time)
Location: Alserkal Avenue

Join us for live recordings of the Matbakh Podcast at What The Food by Alserkal on October 26 & 27 hosted by long-time afikra Volunteer Vanessa Zuabi!

On Saturday, we’re sitting with Leen Al Zaben a writer, photographer, and culinary consultant. Leen creates meaningful experiences around food and culture. With over a decade of consulting in F&B and hospitality, she has worked on diverse projects—developing cookbooks, creating food and travel content, and advising on culinary innovations in Amman, Dubai, San Francisco, and Tokyo.

Leen believes in the power of food to tell stories and foster cultural exchange, bringing people together and creating lasting memories. As Academy Chair for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and MENA’s 50 Best, she collaborates with chefs, journalists, and culinary advocates to celebrate flavors and traditions worldwide.

She recently launched Wasat, a platform for meaningful conversations and experience around food, and is one of the lead organizers of the Jordan International Food Festival.

What The Food by Alserkal returns for its third edition, bringing together the city’s most exciting homegrown chefs, artisanal makers and creative culinary minds. This year’s programme is about pushing boundaries, showcasing cutting-edge culinary experiments and sparking critical conversations about food and its role in shaping communities and culture. Taking place on October 26 & 27 at Alserkal Avenue, the weekend features thought-provoking talks, immersive installations, workshops, food walks, and film screenings, all aimed at educating, inspiring, and challenging everything we thought we knew about food.