04/10/2026
Dear Baba,
While I may not see you reading this, I know you are. You fought bravely, but ultimately cancer got the better of you as it does in many instances. While death is never timely, at 61, I’d say it was a little too soon.
When people ask me, “when did you start cooking?” my answer always has two parts. The first being the time I attempted to make tomato sauce on my own at 8 years old. The second being when you brought me into the kitchen on the weekends and had me assist you while you made pancakes and omelettes for everyone. I watched with curious eyes on how the liquid batter bubbled and puffed before you demonstrated how I should flip it. Then, we moved onto cracking eggs for the omelettes and you grabbed a little stool for me to stand on because I was too short for the counter. You taught me how to crack an egg and I proceeded to do the rest without breaking a yolk or dropping a little shell fragment into the mix. I vividly remember you saying, “wow you cracked them all perfectly—you must be talented.” That is the very moment I believed that I can cook.
From then on, I attempted to cook and bake everything and anything I saw. I made little cakes for you that you would proudly eat at the end of a long day with a glass of milk. You would exclaim, “these are delicious!” while eating another two of them.
Unfortunately, baba you never got to eat or try most of the things that I make at Manna Bakery. You never got to see the storefront open. I had your order ready. I wanted to show you how things baked in those big ovens, and I told you that when you come, you’ll make Fuul (spiced fava bean stew) for everyone. As much as it hurts to see you go, I know that you were suffering in the end.
In honor of you baba, this weekend’s menu will feature some of the things you enjoyed eating. It is a shame I won’t get to see you savor all the food, but I know you’ll be watching. I just wish I could see you watching me. You may no longer be sitting at the table, but you will always be in every plate. I love you Baba. I’ll make you proud❤️
