Zahara
Chefs Amina & Mohamed
Chef Amina Ait Omar is a classically trained Moroccan chef. She attended culinary school at the Institute Specialise de Technologie Appliquee Hoteliere et Touristique in Ouarzazate, Morocco. Following graduation, she began as a sous chef at the prestigious Riad Kniza in Marrakesh, where she eventually worked her way to head chef. With her at the helm, the restaurant was voted top 10 best restaurants in Africa for 3 consecutive years.
Owner and assistant chef, Mohamed Baayd, worked in the food industry to put himself through college. After a fulfilling career working with US veterans, he resigned his position to follow his dream to share his love of Moroccan food with the Salt Lake community.
What started as intimate Moroccan meals shared with friends, has grown into regular pop-up restaurants where Amina and Mohamed can take their guests on a food journey to Morocco.
Their restaurant is named Zahara, after Amina and Mohamed’s mothers. They chose this name because of “The two amazing women, who tirelessly nourished us with some amazing traditional food that is impossible to forget, and taught us the importance of being kind to everyone.”
Zahara is a place where authentic curated Moroccan food is made and served with love. It is a place where you will get to meet people from all walks of life and where all people are welcome. It is a place where food is not only about eating—but also about storytelling and cultural immersion. It is a place where you will feel physically and emotionally nourished.
Zahara was at the 9th & 9th Street Festival in Liberty Park on Saturday, September 16, 2023, which ran from 10am to 6pm.
Zahara was selling Moroccan cookies and serving tea, with 50 percent of sale proceeds going toward helping those who have been impacted by the recent Moroccan earthquake.
Chefs Amina Ait Omar and Mohamed Baayd are both natives of Morocco with family still living there and having survived the Sept. 8th earthquake. Mohamed’s aunt lives in Ouarzazate which experienced significant damage from the quake.
This year’s Festival was held at Salt Lake City’s Liberty Park due to road construction at the intersection of 900 East and 900 South where the Festival is traditionally held.
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Spice To Go Menus:
Zahara’s previous Spice To Go menus for Spice Kitchen’s weekly meal service with Thursday pick-up.
– December 8, 2022
Entrées:
Chicken Tagine with Potatoes and Peas with Homemade Bread (20oz):
A traditional Moroccan dish, made with chicken, potatoes, peas and beautifully seasoned. Every bite will virtually transport you to Morocco. (Dairy free, gluten free without bread)
Vegetarian Tagine with Potatoes and Peas with Homemade Bread (20oz):
A vegetarian version of a traditional Moroccan dish. Includes potatoes, peas and other vegetables. (Vegetarian, dairy free, gluten free without bread)
Appetizer:
Harira: Moroccan Garbanzo and Lentil Soup with Homemade Bread (12oz):
A balanced soup made of garbanzos, lentils, cilantro and parsley. It will make you appreciate the authenticity of this delicious dish. (Vegetarian, gluten free without bread, dairy free)
Dessert:
Ghreba: Moroccan Almond Cookies (2pc):
Delicious almond and orange blossom water in this traditional cookie. (Dairy free, contains nuts)
Beverage:
Hot Moroccan Mint Tea (8oz):
Green tea with fresh mint. A taste that is amazingly refreshing. (Vegan, dairy free, gluten free)