Chef Fadi Kattan Brings Palestinian Food to Qatar Pavilion at Venice Biennale

Palestinian chef Fadi Kattan runs the food program at the National Pavilion of Qatar during the 61st Venice Biennale. The pavilion, designed by Rirkrit Tiravanija and curated by Ruba Katrib and Tom Eccles, is the only one with an ongoing food program featuring rotating MENA region chefs. Kattan, author of 'Bethlehem: A Celebration of Palestinian Food' and owner of restaurants akub in London and louf in Toronto, presents dishes reflecting trade histories. The program includes themed music and food pairings, such as field recordings by Tarek Atoui paired with Doha street foods, and poetry performances exploring coffee as Arabic hospitality. Kattan contrasts Venice's environmental efforts with Bethlehem's 65% unemployment and lack of tourists since the genocide. He describes his cosmopolitan upbringing, family spice blends, and the intimate knowledge of Bethlehem's spice monger Sofilama. Kattan's original Bethlehem restaurant Fawda has been closed since COVID and the subsequent conflict. He is working on a second cookbook about Palestinian wines.