At the Sharjah International Book Fair’s Cookery Corner, the Damascus-born chef prepares the beloved dish Kebab Hindi while sharing his journey of resilience and culinary passion
Sharjah, November 14, 2025
The Cookery Corner at the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2025) filled with the aromas of Damascus as Syrian chef Diaa Alhanoun took the stage, guiding audiences through the flavours, memories and heritage behind one of Syria’s most cherished comfort dishes: Kebab Hindi.
Warmly greeted by an enthusiastic crowd, Chef Alhanoun introduced the dish by recounting the origins of its distinctive name. Although called “Indian Kebab,” he explained that the recipe is believed to have been brought to Syria generations ago by an Indian family, later evolving to suit local tastes and traditions.
As he sautéed onions, tomatoes and green capsicum with a mix of spices, the air grew rich with the fragrance of Levantine cooking. He shaped seasoned ground beef into slender kebab fingers before immersing them in a tangy tomato sauce and placing the dish in the oven. A final topping of toasted pine nuts added texture and depth.
Demonstrating each step with ease, Chef Alhanoun noted how small gestures like frying vermicelli in ghee before adding Basmati rice, or stirring in tomato paste “to give it some sourness”, transform simple ingredients into dishes filled with character. When the kebabs emerged from the oven, simmering in their sauce, he smiled and asked the room, “Can you smell it?” The audience responded with delighted nods.
Behind the chef’s mastery lies a story of remarkable perseverance. Raised in Damascus, he began cooking at age fifteen in his uncle’s restaurant. After relocating from Syria, they settled in the United States. There, his culinary skills became the foundation on which he rebuilt his life.
Chef Alhanoun is featured in The Kitchen Without Borders, a cookbook celebrating the recipes and personal journeys of immigrant and refugee chefs who have found renewed purpose through food. His contribution reflects both his deep-rooted Syrian heritage and the resilience that defines his culinary path.
This year’s Cookery Corner features 35 live cooking sessions led by 14 international chefs over 12 days, offering visitors a chance to connect with global cultures through food. Held under the theme Between You and a Book, SIBF 2025 brings together 2,350 publishers and exhibitors, more than 1,200 cultural and creative activities, and over 250 authors and creators from 66 countries.
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