Recap: Tayybeh Hosts a Parents & Me Manakeesh Workshop

On January 19th, our Tayybeh restaurant dining room was transformed into an energetic workshop space as we hosted our first-ever Parents & Me Manakeesh Workshop. 

We were so excited to have adults and children join us for an afternoon of Palestinian culture and cuisine, complete with the aroma of freshly baked bread. 

For those who missed the event and would love to attend in the future, we highly recommend subscribing to our newsletter in our website footer below.

Why Manakeesh?

This za’atar-topped flatbread is not only a staple in Palestine, it’s a cornerstone of family culinary traditions and a traditional gathering dish across the Levantine region.

Pass the Recipe

The art and technique of making Manakeesh is a common family “secret” passed from generation to generation, each often having their own spin, recipe specifics or minor personal touch that they feel makes their version the most correct. 

Plus, the simplicity of the pastry makes it an easy hands-on introduction to prep or cooking skills for children as they dive into their cultural heritage. Who doesn’t love joining hands while kneading dough, telling stories and having a good giggle in the process?

Our all-women Syrian team was thrilled to watch as families kneaded away, rolled the dough out and completed their creations with the za’atar mix. Little hands couldn’t get enough of helping the adults shape the Manakeesh and playing with the toppings. 

More Than A Meal

Then, upon baking, everyone enjoyed the fruits of the workshop, gathering together for not just a delicious meal but an edible celebration of culture, connection and the satisfaction of shared experiences.

While our restaurant hospitality is already deeply rooted in fostering community, encouraging gatherings and connecting people through food, we felt a workshop was a natural event type to integrate.

A connection to roots and continued preservation of culture, we find workshops to be wonderful opportunities to introduce others to the joys of cooking traditional dishes and promote awareness of cultural aspects to many demographics within our Kitsilano and surrounding community.

Plus, this type of engaging experience can create such cherished core family memories for all involved, inspiring our budding generations to continue exploring their heritage, learning their traditional dishes, and carrying on these activities with loved ones in the present and future.

We look forward to hosting many more workshops in the coming months!

In the meantime, join us at our restaurant for a delicious lunch or dinner - book a reservation here.