Letters from Bethlehem - Autumn 2026
Letters from Bethlehem
Autumn 2026
Dear friends,
Autumn has always been one of my favourite seasons in Bethlehem. The light softens, the mornings grow cooler, and the markets fill with grapes, pomegranates, quince and freshly harvested olives. These familiar rhythms, the ingredients that return year after year, and the recipes that find their way back onto our tables have always brought me comfort.
But there is little comfort in the reality we are living through. Across Palestine, the Israeli occupation continues to shape our lives. In the West Bank, settler violence, military incursions and restrictions on movement make everyday life increasingly difficult. In Gaza, the devastation, loss of life and displacement are almost impossible to comprehend.
And yet, life continues. Bread is baked, olives are harvested wherever possible, and families gather around tables. These are not simply traditions, but expressions of our determination to remain, to preserve our culture and to tell our own stories.
These past months have brought wonderful encounters, new dishes and moments of recognition, from London to Venice, while my work with Louf in Toronto continues from afar. Each, in its own way, has been an opportunity to share Palestinian food, culture and stories with the world.
I wanted to share some of these moments with you through an occasional letter from Bethlehem.
Akub — A little recognition, a lot of gratitude
There was some wonderful news from London: Akub, our Palestinian restaurant in Notting Hill, has been recommended by the Michelin Guide.
This recognition means a great deal to me, and to Rasha Khouri, co-founder of akub, our General Manager Mariella Franciosi and the extraordinary team who bring Akub to life every day. As autumn settles in, we’ve also been revisiting familiar Palestinian recipes, creating new seasonal dishes while remaining rooted in the ingredients, memories and generosity that inspired Akub from the beginning.
Venice — Food, art and the joy of gathering
One of the great privileges of this year has been curating the culinary programme for the Qatar Pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale, untitled 2026 (a gathering of remarkable people).
Commissioned by Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the pavilion was conceived by Rirkrit Tiravanija and curated by Tom Eccles and Ruba Katrib. It has been a particular joy to be part of this gathering alongside artists Alia Farid, Tarek Atoui and Sophia Al-Maria, each bringing their own extraordinary perspectives through sculpture, music and film.
Throughout the programme, I have had the pleasure of inviting chefs and culinary collaborators to share the diversity of our region's food cultures.
LOUF — Our stories on screen
Another deeply moving experience has been seeing LOUF, a documentary produced by the National Film Board of Canada, begin its journey through film festivals.
Directed by Aziz Zoromba and produced by Sherien Barsoum, the film follows Nicole Mankinen, our team and me as we open our Palestinian restaurant in Toronto against the backdrop of the devastation in Gaza and the West Bank.
The film premiered at the Calgary International Film Festival, where it won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Canadian Documentary.
I’m immensely grateful to Aziz, Sherien and everyone involved for telling a story about Palestinian identity, belonging, friendship and the determination to create something meaningful, even in the most difficult circumstances.
From Toronto back to Bethlehem
Louf, Toronto
In Toronto, I continue to work closely with Nicole Mankinen, co-founder of Louf, and our wonderful team, developing new seasonal dishes, curating collaborations and exploring the richness of Palestinian cuisine.
What makes Louf particularly special to me is the way it has become a place where Palestinian food, culture and hospitality come together, rooted in our traditions while remaining open to new ideas and interpretations. It is a joy to see the Louf bringing the warmth and generosity of Palestinian hospitality to the heart of Toronto.
Kassa, Bethlehem
In the heart of Bethlehem's old city, Kassa remains a project close to my heart. Created with my dear friend Elizabeth Kassis Sabagh in her family's beautifully restored ancestral home on Star Street, this intimate boutique hotel celebrates Palestinian hospitality, architecture and the enduring connections between Bethlehem and its diaspora.
In these difficult times, when Bethlehem faces so much uncertainty, Kassa remains there, its doors open, quietly carrying on the tradition of welcoming people to our city.
Wonder Cabinet, Bethlehem
I have also had the pleasure of collaborating with Elias and Yousef Anastas at Wonder Cabinet, a creative space where art, music and food come together. Designing its bar food menu has been an opportunity to play with familiar Palestinian ingredients in new ways, creating dishes meant for sharing over drinks and long conversations.
Nabeeth — From our land to your glass
Wine has been part of the Palestinian landscape for thousands of years. With Nabeeth, sommelier Anna Patrowicz and I have been working to bring extraordinary Palestinian wines and craft beers to tables across the United Kingdom.
From indigenous grape varieties to the pioneering beers of Taybeh, every producer has a story worth discovering.
I am particularly happy to share that our Nabeeth online shop is now open, making it possible to order Palestinian wines and beers directly in the UK.
With the festive season approaching, we’ve also created curated wine bundles and gift cards, perfect for sharing something special with friends and family.
Every bottle has a story, and every bottle is an invitation to discover a little more of Palestine.
Until the next letter
Thank you for being part of this journey, whether you’ve visited one of the restaurants, shared a glass of Palestinian wine, watched the documentary, cooked one of my recipes, or simply followed along from afar.
I look forward to sharing more with you in the months ahead.
With warm wishes from Bethlehem,
Fadi
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