Mama Wafaa brings Egyptian flavours, family warmth to SIBF 2025

Mama Wafaa’s culinary journey

Mama Wafaa, author of Cooking with Mama Wafaa: A Simple Guide to Egyptian Cooking, shared that her love of food began in her mother’s kitchen when she was just eight. Her approach to cooking, she told the audience, is rooted in simplicity, generosity and the emotional ties that food strengthens within families.

Macarona bechamel demonstration

The first dish she prepared was Macarona Bechamel, a classic baked pasta beloved across Egyptian households. As she layered pasta, béchamel and sauce, she offered practical tips, emphasising that the dish should remain “juicy and saucy, not dry.” She also explained how a few spoonfuls of tomato sauce can substitute for fresh juice and that white pepper lends a softer, more delicate flavour to the béchamel.

Egyptian Goulash on stage

Her second dish, Egyptian Goulash, came together live on stage as she assembled phyllo layers filled with spinach and cheese. Mai added her trademark humour, drawing laughs with playful commentary, turning the demonstration into a warm family performance.

Stories, laughter and family moments

Stories flowed freely as the dishes baked. Audience members enjoyed the mother–daughter banter, the teasing over measurements and the candid confessions shared between recipes. “Their stories, like the one where Mama Wafaa admitted she’d only cook for Mai’s partner if she truly liked him, really hit home,” said Marjan, one of the attendees. “It felt like being welcomed into a real Middle Eastern kitchen, full of honesty, humour and love.”