Rethinking “Middle Eastern” Cuisine: Food, Identity and Culture

What do we really mean when we say “Middle Eastern food”?In this live panel recorded at the Grainstore during the 2025 Ballymaloe Festival of Food, the conversation goes far beyond the plate. Through personal stories and lived experience, the speakers explore identity, culture, and the importance of acknowledging the origins of food.Featuring Anna Patrowicz, sommelier and expert in Palestinian wines; Noor Murad, Bahraini chef and cookbook author known for her work with Ottolenghi; Fadi Kattan, a leading voice in modern Palestinian cuisine; and Russ Parsons, longtime food writer and former food editor of the LA Times, who moderates the discussion.This is a thoughtful, honest, and at times powerful conversation that reflects the depth and complexity behind the foods we often group under one label.Recorded live at the Ballymaloe Festival of Food in East Cork, Ireland.The Ballymaloe Festival of Food returns May 15th to 17th 2026. Find out more at ballymaloefestivaloffood.comThanks for listening to the Ballymaloe Festival of Food Podcast. You can find out more at ballymaloegrainstore.com and follow us on all platforms @ballymaloegrainstoreUntil next time, let’s keep savouring the stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.