Chef Zara Rhanem, who runs the recently opened Little Marrakesh restaurant in Friar Street, Worcester, alongside her business partner, loves the city and its community.
On Christmas Day, Ms Rhanem and the team at the restaurant are giving back to the people of the city by providing those in need with a Christmas dinner.
The team will be serving up to 40 meals with a Moroccan twist to those in financial hardship, with the restaurant open from 12:00 GMT until 15:00.
“That would be something nice to lift up that weight on their shoulders so they have somewhere to come and have a meal and we are really happy to do that,” she said.
“It’s a very special day to everyone and we want to make that extra special for the community.”
For people enjoying their Christmas dinner at Little Marrakesh, the starter is a Moroccan vegetable soup, followed by turkey marinated in Moroccan spices for the main course, and Christmas pudding with a white Moroccan sauce for dessert.
Ms Rhanem said the joy of opening on Christmas Day was “to be there for others who will be by themselves”.
The 35-year-old chef has previously cooked on 25 December for people in need, including through her local church.
“The idea has always been there and now we’ve got this lovely place we want to do something for the community,” she said.
Ms Rhanem said the joy of opening the restaurant on Christmas Day was “to be there for others who will be by themselves” [BBC]
Ms Rhanem said she had seen amazing feedback from the community about opening on Christmas Day, with lots of people booking in.
The idea of sharing and helping others is what the Worcester chef believes is a big part of Moroccan culture.
“Which I’m so proud of as being a Moroccan,” she said.
“You have a little, you share it. You don’t need to have a lot to do something for your community, it’s every little thing that could change someone’s day and put a smile on someone’s face.
“That’s what we are and we will carry on.”
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Dining and Cooking