Award-winning San Francisco Bay-area chef Reem Assil will be making a stop in Cambridge in August to show off her new book, Arabiyya: Recipes from the Life of an Arab in Diaspora. You can catch up with the acclaimed West Coast chef at Sofra in West Cambridge on Thursday, August 11th as she makes a few recipes from the book, reads some excerpts and sign copies. Plus you’ll get to taste some of her yummy Arab-to-California recipes (Gazan Tomato Salsa, Sesame-Crusted Bread Pouches, Yogurt, Mint & Cucumber Salad and more) prepared by Sofra’s award-winning culinary duo Ana Sortun and Maura Kilpatrick.
Assil is a Palestinian-Syrian chef who parlayed working as a community and labor organizer into becoming a leader in the hospitality industry. Her restaurant Reem’s California in Oakland has earned national recognition and she has won numerous awards, including being a two-time semifinalist for the James Beard Awards for Best Chef: West. She brings her passions for food, community, and social justice together in her cooking, and also into her book — you won’t want to miss this lively discussion about Arab culture and cooking, immigrants in the US, and eliminating racism and xenophobia through food. The event is from 6:30 to 9:00pm; your $150 ticket includes a signed copy of the book, plus the discussion and tasting. Go ahead and book your spot here soon as tickets will definitely sell out early. Follow Assil on Instagram for more on her book tour, and call Sofra at 617.661.3161 or email with any Qs about the event.
