Eat Offbeat: Yemeni Cuisine Dinner + Cooking Demo

Long before Halloween crossed an ocean, the Arabian Penninsula had its own night of children going door to door for sweets. On the eve of the fifteenth night of Sha'ban – the month before Ramadan begins – kids dress up, gather in groups, form a camel, and knock on neighbors' doors asking for treats while singing folk songs, a small reward for the fasting practice they've been building toward the holy month ahead. 

Tonight we're setting that tradition beside Halloween and cooking a full Yemeni table to go with it. 

About the Chef:

Ala'a is a Yemeni Filmmaker and food enthusiast who grew up cooking alongside her mother, where it came to her naturally. In the diaspora, cooking became her way of staying connected to her roots and building community. While beginning her career as a film producer, she started cooking for her crews and discovered how food brings people together. Today, Ala'a hosts Creative Diwan – a curated gathering that celebrates art, food, music, and storytelling.

On the Menu:

• Appetizer: Shafoot - a refreshing cold dish made from lahoh (fermented Yemeni flatbread) soaked in creamy herb-yogurt sauce – buttermilk blended with mint, dill, cilantro, parsley, garlic, scallions, and serrano peppers. 
• Entree: Saltah - a hearty Yemeni stew of vegetables and kushna. 
• Main: Lamb Haneeth - braised lamb chunks, slow cooked for four-plus hours until incredibly tender. Served over Yemeni rice, cooked in the rendered lamb fat and spice. 
• Dessert: Yemeni Kunafah - thin Kunafa dough made from scratch the Yemeni way, served hot and drizzled with Yemeni samneh and Yemeni honey. 

What to Expect:

• Expert Guidance: Learn how to prepare these exquisite Yemeni dishes step by step. Observe every stage of the cooking process up close and gain practical skills you can confidently recreate at home. 
• Cultural Insights: Immerse yourself in the rich history and traditions of Yemeni cuisine, while Chef Ala'a shares stories, flavors, and the cultural meaning behind the dishes–especially those connected to Eid celebrations. 
• Community Connection: Meet and connect with fellow food lovers while enjoying a warm, shared dining experience together. 
• Continue the Gastronomic Experience: Take home a recipe card so you can recreate the dishes and share your newly learned skills with family and friends.