Jad Youssef Author Event • Lebnani: A journey through family, food & the flavour of Lebanon
A note about our in-store events:
We offer first come, first served seating in our shop. There will be overflow room outside if needed and the author will be mic'd. Everyone is welcome to attend.
You can pre-order a copy below for pick-up at the event or purchase copies on-site.
Jad Youssef - Beirut-born Youssef has the flavours and recipes of Lebanon in his blood. Between helping his mother make home-cooked meals and assisting his father at work in his pastry shop, Youssef grew up in the kitchen and has made it his mission to share his rich heritage. After completing his culinary training in Beirut, Jad Youssef embarked on his restaurant career working in top kitchens around Europe.
Youssef, an alum of Celebrity Master Chef UK, is celebrated as one of the foremost experts on Lebanese food for his reverence for traditional dishes while making the cuisine relevant to the current dining landscape. His rustic, authentic cooking is exemplified in Sawda Djej, his rendition of Beirut’s simple dish of chicken liver in pomegranate molasses, which gained cult status after Time Out London named it one of ‘The Best 100 Dishes in London.’
Lebnani - In Lebnani, celebrated chef Jad Youssef invites readers to experience the warmth, generosity and soul of Lebanese cooking through recipes passed down through generations of his family. In his debut book, Jad returns to the dishes and memories that shaped his life in Beirut and beyond, celebrating Lebanese food as it is truly lived and eaten.
Featuring 84 authentic recipes from his family’s kitchen in Lebanon and his award-winning restaurant Lebnani in Surrey, the book reveals secret spice blends, time-honoured techniques and beloved family dishes that bring people together around the table.
Chapters echo the rhythm of daily life - Lebanese Mornings, Mezza at Home, Tabkha (everyday meals), Mashawi (grills), Sandwiche (street wraps), Helweyet (sweets) and Namlieh (the pantry) - reflecting the meals and moments that shape Lebanese identity. Family stories are woven throughout, tracing how food sustained Lebanese families through conflict, change and celebration.
From gathering wild za’atar to mornings spent collecting trays of freshly baked mana’eesh, Jad’s memories root Lebanese cuisine in gratitude, connection and resilience. With evocative imagery and heartfelt storytelling, Lebnani offers a rich portrait of a culture where food, memory and family life are deeply intertwined.
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available for pick-up at the event or shipping worldwide
