SIRA EL-DEMÛR

Jordan- Women have made great efforts to earn a living in Jordan. 60-year-old Faryal al-Kofhi is one of these women. She lives in the city of Irbid, northern Jordan. She prepares healthy traditional dishes in her kitchen. She has been working as a chef since 1993 despite the “culture of shame”. Financial troubles led her to change the recipes of local dishes and present them in a delicious and healthy way

She has been interested in cultural heritages since her childhood

Stating that she has been interested in cultural heritages since her childhood, “I wanted to preserve the Jordanian food culture and my journey started,” Faryal al-Kofhi said. Her journey brings her today. She worked hard to provide financial support to her five brothers and three sisters. She also struggled to send her children to the most prestigious universities. Despite all the burdens, she kept working day and night to cook the best and most delicious food, especially during the harvesting seasons to have fresh products such as olive oil, wheat flour, thyme, spinach, and other leading products in the city of Irbid.

She became famous in Jordan

Faryal al-Kofhi started her career at her home in the city of Irbid. She made traditional food at home with the support of women in her neighborhood. After a short time, she became famous across Jordan by making Jordanian cakes, pastries, and popular foods that indicate the originality and nobility of the Jordanian heritage. She always advises people to eat traditional Jordanian food and to stay away from fast food.

She will publish a cookbook

After working hard for years, Faryal al-Kofhi wrote a cookbook containing 250 traditional Jordanian food recipes. She has been waiting for the confirmation from the Jordanian Ministry of Culture to publish her first book. “There are 250 traditional food recipes practiced by our grandmothers in my book,” she said.