Wael Garas will open Middle Feast in Lendal from 12pm to 3pm on Thursday, December 25, to serve those in need or away from their families.
It will be the third year that Wael has opened the popular Lebanese restaurant with hundreds of people expected to turn out.
On the menu at Middle Feast will be chicken and lamb doner shawarmas as well as a vegan option.
Wael Garas (second left) and staff who nominated themselves to work last Christmas Day (Image: Kevin Glenton)
“It was busier last year – we had a queue,” he told The Press.
“We’re staying open longer for people this year. Last time when we closed, we still had lots of people coming.”
He added: “People always say thank you and go.
“I don’t want anything from anyone in return. As long as people say thank you, I don’t care.
“Some people think I will do it one time and leave it, but they are wrong. I will do it again and again.”
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Last year Wael estimated that by 12.45pm the Middle Feast team had already given away 35kg of chicken inside the wraps.
“We advertised that we would be open from noon but people started coming at 10 o’clock,” he said, speaking to The Press during the 2024 Christmas service.
“We’ve got our third chicken on the grill already and there is plenty more.
“I don’t want anything for it, I do it from my heart.
“It’s nice to hear people say thank you but I just do it because of what’s inside me.”
At the end of the last Christmas service, Wael also passed on the generous donations totalling £370 from the public to John and Julie McGall from I am Reusable Foodbank, which is also open during the festivities.
Wael passed on the public’s donations of £370 to John and Julie McGall from I am Reusable Foodbank in York (Image: Supplied)
Wael, who also owns Enoteca by L’UVA in Bridge Street and the Marrakesh and Oasis Café in Low Ousegate, said he is “not rich” but feels it is important to help other people with his businesses.
“I like to help people,” he said, adding: “When I worked in hospitality before and saw [people sleeping rough], I said to myself that one day I would have a business of my own and help them.”
Wael added that he currently gives food to those sleeping rough whenever he can and is looking to start a weekly distribution service to deliver the hot meals.
Dining and Cooking